Quick News

2011-01-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

Concrete blocks topple onto Gilstead Road

A HUGE pile of concrete blocks stacked next to Gilstead Road came crashing down on Sunday morning. According to SP Power Grid in another news report, the impact caused a gas leak from a valve, which has since been shut down by the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Described Amarela, on citizen journalism site Stomp: 'A pile of boulders located at a condominium construction site beside a church compound along Gilstead Road, fell and spilled over onto the road and obstructed the two-way road this morning at about 8.20am, whilst worshippers attend Sunday morning services.' In response to a Stomp query, the police said that it 'received a call today at about 8.30am requesting for assistance at Gilstead Road'. No injuries have been reported so far, and police are still investigating.

Maid survives 9-storey fall from Bukit Panjang flat

A MAID survived a nine-storey fall from her employer's flat in Bukit Panjang on Friday afternoon, a day after another maid died when she fell from a sixth-floor window while cleaning it. Police confirmed the Friday incident, saying they responded to a call at 1.35pm that day about a woman who had fallen nine storeys at Block 534, Jelapang Road. She was found lying at the foot of the block, and was taken to the National University Hospital with fractures to her legs and pelvic bone, said a police spokesman. When The Sunday Times visited the employer's flat yesterday, the family declined to be interviewed, but said that the maid was not alone in the flat at that time.Shin Min Daily News reported that the maid was a 23-year-old Indonesian who was hired just over a month ago to work for the family. An eyewitness told the evening daily that the maid was found on the ground with bamboo poles and clothes beside her, and that she could have fallen out of the window while trying to retrieve laundry when it started to rain in the afternoon.

Hawkers query rents at new food centre

HAWKERS from the iconic Bedok Food Centre are worried about possible rent hikes after they move to a new centre. At yesterday's East Coast Remaking Our Heartland launch, six representatives peppered Senior Minister S. Jayakumar and fellow East Coast GRC MP Lee Yi Shyan with questions about their future after their lease expires in May 2014. Last month, about 50 of the 70 hawkers there had petitioned the Government to retain the centre. Yesterday, they were happy to hear that a new food centre will be built next to the existing one, and that they would be given priority at the new site, targeted to be completed by the time the lease expires. But it has not been decided whether the new centre will be run by the National Environment Agency or a private developer. 'If a private developer takes over, the rent can reach $5,000 to $6,000 a month,' said fishball noodle seller Richard Teo, 51, chairman of the centre's hawkers' association, who initiated last month's petition. The stall owners now pay $1,100 to $1,400 a month. 'We don't want to raise our food prices because of the rent,' said wanton noodle seller Ivy Tan, 47. 'This is a place for HDB heartlanders to have their three meals.' The hawkers said Mr Lee had told them that more details would be available in one or two weeks.

Young S'poreans keen to hear MM Lee's views

WHEN Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew stepped down as prime minister in 1990, Mr Cheo Ming Shen was just six, so his memory of Singapore's founding leader is hazy at best. But that did not stop the 27-year-old co-founder of Internet start-up Netccentric from ordering an autographed copy of a new book on Mr Lee. He was among 60 donors who will get a limited edition signed copy of the book, having donated $10,000. Proceeds go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

Gillman Village takes a break

GILLMAN Village, the laidback enclave off Alexandra Road, will be emptied out by the end of next month. A Sunday Times check found that there are currently seven tenants. In all, there are five eateries, a dance studio, a furniture shop and some warehouses. All will move out by end-February, with furniture store Originals the first, by Jan 25. It will move to Bukit Timah.

Quick News: Saturday, January 15, 2011

2011-01-16T04:08:00.000-08:00

Measures tough but meant to stabilise: Mah Bow Tan

THE new property market cooling measures announced on Thursday were tough but they are meant to stabilise home prices and not necessarily intended to cause them to crash, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said on Saturday. The measures may not be the last as well, he warned, adding that the Government will monitor the market closely and may act again if needed. But Mr Mah emphasised that the measures are not permanent, and once they are no longer necessary, they will be removed. He also recognised that the new sellers' stamp duty (SSD) of up to 16 per cent could become a problem should property owners need to urgently sell their home shortly after they bought it. So if some owners had a mitigating reason to sell their home, such as the need to use the proceeds to pay for medical bills, the Government was prepared to be flexible. 'You can't formulate a policy that satisfies everybody in a group,' said Mr Mah. 'What you can do is to have a general policy and where there are genuine cases, take them offline and consider appeals as and when they come in.'

Walk or cycle to East Coast Park

SPORTS enthusiasts, food lovers and families looking for recreational spots in the east will find it easier to get to their playgrounds. A new 3.8km green corridor linking up the popular East Coast Park with Bedok Town Centre, as well as Bedok Reservoir, will be built over the next five years. This means that Singaporeans will be able to walk - taking about 20 minutes - or cycle directly from the MRT station or bus interchange in Bedok, to either of the two recreational spots. It is part of a larger 'ambitious' makeover for the East Coast, and comes on top of previously announced plans for a revitalised Bedok town with a new food centre, an integrated sports complex, a mall and an air-conditioned bus interchange. Also in the pipeline is a cycling network connecting schools, parks and MRT stations in an area stretching from Paya Lebar to Kaki Bukit and Tanah Merah. Unveiling the details on Saturday at Bedok Town Centre, Senior Minister S. Jayakumar, an MP for East Coast GRC, called the makeover an 'ambitious' one that 'will benefit not only residents of East Coast but also other Singaporeans'.

Schools should nurture 'three loves' in students: SM

SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong on Saturday identified two additional challenges that Singapore now faces, on top of its perennial efforts to ensure inter-racial harmony. These are: the widening income gap and the need to welcome foreigners. Speaking to 300 students and parents at an Edusave award ceremony in his Marine Parade ward, SM Goh sketched out these challenges and called on the young to help the community tackle them. On the issue of widening inequality, he said that Singapore 'emphasises inclusive growth'. 'Economic growth must benefit all members of the community. Otherwise, our community may be divided by differences in income levels within it.' Meanwhile, Singapore's low birth rates and ageing population mean that the workforce has to be supplemented by foreigners, he said. To help the country meet these challenges, young Singaporeans should demonstrate a 'love for the community', he said. 'Our young must not become too self-absorbed in their quest for personal achievement... and forget about contributing to the community they live in.'

S'pore NGO wins Chinese philanthropy award

LIEN Aid, the international development body founded by Lien Foundation and Nanyang Technological University, received the Global Charity Award for NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) from the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. The ceremony took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday. The award recognised Lien Aid's efforts in bringing water and sanitation to China's drought-hit regions of Yunnan, Sichuan and Shanxi, helping 30,000 people from 14 projects. Global Charity, a well respected Chinese philanthropic publication and the magazine arm of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, organised the awards. The nominees, comprising of individuals, enterprises and organisations, are selected based on their philanthropic efforts and contributions to Chinese society. Lien Aid was the only Singapore organisation to be awarded.

The end of MiFi for iPhone users?

THE news of Verizon Wireless securing the iPhone 4 was greeted with celebrations in the United States when it was announced recently. But going beyond the headlines and the good news to US iPhone fanatics, the straitstimes.com team tested and found that there is one technological breakthrough in this US deal, that could soon pave the way ahead for users of the iPhone worldwide and especially here in iPhone-crazy Singapore. It is the introduction of the iOS-specific version of the Verizon 3G Mobile Hotspot. With this 'Personal Hotspot' feature, users may be spared the agony of locating Wi-Fi hotspots or lugging around their MiFi, a portable wireless router, in their pockets. This generally spells the end of MiFi. By boosting an iOS-specific version of the Verizon 3G Mobile Hotspot, users would be able to access the Internet with laptops and tablets solely through their iPhones - sans cord, or even mobile broadband sticks.

DEVELOPER ACCESS FOR NOW
The straitstimes.com team tried this next version of the iOS and found that it works. Users could then avoid having to spend an average of $200 for a MiFi gadget to create a secure and personal wireless hotspot around themselves to get online. But one should not get overly excited after reading this. The iOS 4.3 beta is currently available to iPhone developers only, not the general public, till a public launch is announced by Apple. Otherwise, the iOS 4.3 will be compatible for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, iPod Touch (4th and 3rd generation models). The new 'Personal Hotspot' works on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPad 3G/Wi-Fi. In short, it's goodbye MiFi, hello iPhone, your personal wireless router.

iPad enters Singapore classrooms

SINGAPORE - IF OPRAH can do it, so can schools in Singapore. Four schools in the city-state have begun handing out Apple iPads to students, relieving them of the need to carry satchels full of bulging text books and notes. Nanyang Girls High School has spent $135,000 to buy 150 iPads for 140 students and 10 teachers in a pilot project. Users connect to the Internet using the tablet, and download books and course material. They can take notes on the iPad, and use worksheets. 'It's much more convenient,' said 14-year-old Chloe Chen, sitting in a classroom with her iPad in front of her. 'Teachers can just tell us to go a website, and we can immediately go and do our work.' Last year billionaire talk show host Oprah Winfrey gave staff at her magazine an iPad and a cheque for US$10,000 (S$12,900) each. Ms Seah Hui Yong, dean of admissions at Nanyang Girls school, said the iPad was chosen because it complemented a new method of teaching under which students are given more freedom to learn themselves, instead of relying solely on the teacher in traditional classrooms. 'It's not so much about the iPad,' she said, adding that if some other better device comes along, the school could switch. 'If you talk to the girls you will realise that they practically don't need training. I think if anything, the joke is the teachers are probably taking a little bit longer getting used to it.' Safeguards are being put in place as well. 'There will be some concerns - making sure that the girls are going to appropriate websites, also making sure that the girls don't get addicted to the device and use it too much,' said Physics and Information Technology teacher Mark Shone.

Thaipusam rules not new: Shanmugam

HOME Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam reassured Hindus on Friday that public order guidelines issued on next week's Thaipusam procession are not new, and apply equally to all religious processions. Speaking to reporters in the wake of the varied reactions after the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) publicised the rules last week, he pointed out that such rules have been in existence for 38 years. Thaipusam, a Hindu festival, is traditionally celebrated here with an overnight procession from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple in Serangoon Road to the Sri Thendayuthapani temple in Tank Road. The procession this year will start on Wednesday and last through Thursday. The Straits Times reported on Jan 7 that the guidelines mirrored those previously set by the police for Thaipusam. The report quoted procession organisers from the two temples saying that these had been put together for the public for the first time this year, to address issues of crowd and noise control. A subsequent report quoted the HEB saying the guidelines were set by the police and were not new. But it confirmed that it was the first time these had been compiled and made public.

Shah Rukh Khan crowned Best Actor at MBS

KING of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan was yesterday named Best Actor at the Zee Cine Awards in front of a sell-out crowd comprising fans and the who's who of the Indian film industry at the Marina Bay Sands marquee ballroom. The awards ceremony, arguably Bollywood's Oscars, drew other top stars such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and film-maker Karan Johar. Hosted by comic actor Akshay Kumar and director Sajid Khan, the three-hour-plus ceremony saw several stars dance to the tune of popular film songs. Rai Bachchan set the stage alight with her nimble-footed moves, while Chopra introduced the nominees in the Best Film category as she danced impeccably to a medley of songs. First held in Mumbai in 1995, the event celebrates the best in Indian cinema and gave out awards in more than 30 categories last night. Superstar Khan picked up the best actor award for his endearing portrayal of Rizvan Khan, a Muslim who suffers from a form of autism known as Asperger's syndrome, in My Name Is Khan.

Molesters' hunting ground: Nightspots

WHEN Anna (not her real name) went to popular nightspot Zouk last year for a night of fun, she did not expect to become a victim of molestation. As she was leaving the club with her boyfriend, the 25-year-old flight stewardess felt a slap on her buttocks.

ACS(I) teacher claims unfair dismissal

A TEACHER at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) has lodged a report with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) against the school, alleging unfair dismissal. Ms Ann Phua, a 59-year-old English language teacher who has been with ACS(I) since 2000, believes she was sacked because of her age.

Expletive-sprayed van driven into Muis premises

A DRIVER with Middle Eastern looks drove a van spray-painted with expletives about the Malay community into the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's (Muis) headquarters on Friday, parked it, and fled on foot. Police, who were called in immediately to investigate, said last night that preliminary checks showed that the white Mercedes Vito van was driven to Muis' premises by a 'Middle-Eastern-looking man around 50 years old'. Police are tracing the whereabouts of the suspect. Issuing a stern warning, the police said they view such incidents 'seriously' and will investigate the matter 'thoroughly'. 'Any person who is found to have deliberately incited anti-racial or anti-religious feelings will be firmly dealt with under the law,' they added. When The Straits Times visited the Islamic hub in Braddell Road yesterday evening, it spotted the van near the entrance with red spray paint on its left, right and rear panels. The expletives, scrawled in Malay, referred to the community as 'sgmalay'. Among other things, the offensive remarks consisted of the word 'mati', Malay for die, at the back.

Closer to dream of owning his own home

AS A potential first-time home buyer, Mr Joshua Cheah, 29, was all smiles after he heard about the latest Government measures to curb property speculation. The credit risk analyst, who previously lived with his parents in a five-room flat at Farrer Court, has been on the lookout for his own pad since the HUDC estate went en bloc in 2007.

Upgraders get warm feeling from cooling measures

UPGRADERS like Mr Ken Kee, 33, are feeling optimistic in the wake of the property market cooling measures announced on Thursday. The manager, who rents a four-room flat in Sembawang, believes the latest government rulings will dampen speculation and improve their chances of landing their dream homes.

Nude artist 'taking a break'

THE Indian artist who caused a stir at the inaugural art fair at the Marina Bay Sands Exhibition and Convention Centre by stripping naked has stopped his attention-getting act. The artist, Mr T. Venkanna, who sat on a bench in the nude and took pictures with visitors, was not in the booth on Friday. Some newspapers had gone to town with the Hyderabad artist's act at Art Stage Singapore, questioning whether it could be considered art. A lawyer was quoted as saying the show could be against the law as it is an offence to appear nude in public. The art fair, which opened to the public on Thursday, is considered a public event. The exposure proved to be too much for some people. On Friday morning, Gallery Maskara's owner, Mr Abhay Maskara, told The Straits Times over the phone that the gallery was asked to stop the performance. He did not say who advised him to do so. He said: 'It is always a bit disheartening when works of art are not seen as art. We did not set out to create any controversy.' Mr Venkanna had sat behind a black curtain and a sign was posted in front of the booth, warning viewers of the content and restricting viewers to those who are 21 years and older.

Quick News: Friday, January 14, 2011

2011-01-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

Singaporeans welcome new retirement age of 65

EVERYONE looks forward to retirement, but many Singaporeans still feel capable of working beyond the age of 62, so many rejoiced at the government's recent announcement of lifting the retirement age to 65. Ramesh Prakash Sharma, 66, is so good at his job that when he turned 62, he was given a promotion instead of being asked to retire.n His company Qioptiq, an optics manufacturing company, made him a Technical Mentor to show younger employees the ropes. He says: 'I love my job. Optic is in my blood.' Under the new Retirement and Re-employment Act passed in Parliament on Tuesday, employees who turn 62 will now be given the option to work for another three years. The new re-employment law will be in place from January 2012 and will affect some 20,000 workers. Another gainfully employed sexagenarian is Elizabeth Hendriks, a 63-year-old steward with Fairmont Singapore who has never missed a day of work in her 13 years with the organisation. She says she is happy with her job as it keeps her active, and she has only taken 2 days of medical leave in the last 5 years. Leon Bock, General Manager at The Family Movers, says that older workers bring a lot of value to the company. He says older workers are more experienced and loyal to the organisation, and also take fewer MCs.

SLA $12m scam: 10 years' jail for ex-swim coach

THE first man to plead guilty in the Singapore Land Authority $12 million scam was given 10 years' jail by a district court on Friday. Ho Yen Teck, 31, a former swimming instructor, had set up seven sole proprietorships in a conspiracy with two others to deceive the statutory board into paying for fictitious IT maintenance services and goods which were not delivered. The transactions took place between January 2008 and March 2010. His share in the conspiracy was about $200,000. The court was told that almost 80 per cent of the total payments by SLA for the fake transactions was made to Ho's seven companies totalling $9.8 million. Ho's alleged accomplices, former SLA deputy director Koh Seah Wee, 40, and ex-manager Lim Chai Meng, 37, have since been charged and their cases are at the pre-trial stages. Five others have also been hauled to court. Their cases are also pending. The prosecution had urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, citing several aggravating factors. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jean Chan had said that the offences were committed against a public institution over a substantial period of time, resulting in the loss of an astronomical sum of public funds. Ho's role, she added, was pivotal. The offences undermined the integrity of the public procurement process, she said. Neither did Ho make full restitution. District Judge Jasbendar Kaur agreed with the prosecution that a stiff sentence was clearly warranted. She felt that Ho's role was significant and without his participation and active facilitation, the elaborate and well-planned fraud would not have been successful. Ho, who had pleaded guilty to 21 of 195 counts, could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined on each charge. His sentence was backdated to his remand on Oct 6 last year.

Rape trial: Endearing messages from coach

FRAGMENTS of endearing messages were recovered from the computer and laptop seized from the homes of a martial arts instructor and the 16-year-old student he is alleged to have raped three years ago. One specimen read: 'Hope you know how much lao gong treasure lao po.' When the trial started on Wednesday, prosecutors said the couple even went to a temple to solemnise their 'marriage', and addressed each other as lao gong (husband in Mandarin) and lao po (wife). Part of another message stated that their love will never fade as it was more than 100 per cent true, said an investigating officer on Friday. Another promised: 'Reach (age of) 16...I get supplementary credit (card) for u so u can do some shopping also.' Then there was: 'Just wanna use this lifetime to lurve u.' The instructor, now 45, faces three counts of statutory rape and four counts of sexual exploitation, allegedly committed between February and May 2007. He is denying the allegations. The girl, now in Secondary 5 in the same school, testified in-camera on Friday. Earlier testimony revealed that the man, who was the coach of a martial arts club at a secondary school, had told two of his trainees to keep his relationship with the girl, a secret. The girl's parents are divorced and her mother, a KTV singer, testified that she did not know of her daughter's affair. The girl had admitted to it to a school counsellor on May 11 2007. She also said she had three boyfriends in 2006 and had had sex with one of them - a 15-year-old - from another school. And while she was 'wife' to the instructor in 2007, she was seeing two teenage boys on the side. The trial continues on Jan 17.

More to criminal law than money

WHEN lawyer Josephus Tan decided to go into criminal litigation, he knew he would not be earning as much as his contemporaries who had chosen commercial law instead. But it was an area of law he was passionate about. 'It's emotionally rewarding,' said Mr Tan, 31, who has been practising for about a year-and-a-half.

Singapore retail sales continue north

SLUGGISH car sales continued to drag the retail index down, even as shoppers took to the malls. The Singapore retail index fell 2.4 per cent in November, compared to the same period last year. Car sales fell by almost 30 per cent compared to last year, due mainly to higher COE prices. However, excluding car sales, the retail index actually grew, by 5.4 per cent, the 13th straight month, spurred by higher wages, big bonuses and record tourist arrivals.

Signed copies of new book on MM Lee sold out

ALL 30 signed copies of a new book on Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew have been snapped up within 15 hours. Published by Singapore Press Holdings, the book - Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going which will be launched on Jan 21 - was sold for a minimum of $10,000 per autographed copy, with proceeds going to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. It otherwise will be available at leading bookstores for $39.90 (including GST) from Jan 21. The book is based on 32 hours of interviews MM Lee had conducted with seven journalists from The Straits Times on a wide ranging list of issues. The first buyer sent in a purchase form at 5.59 pm on Thursday evening and by 9.30am on Friday morning, all 30 had been sold. One of the first buyers, Mr Cheo Ming Shen, 27, co-founder of Nuffnang, said he had heard about the book through a friend, and once it was up for sale, he did not hesitate to buy a copy. 'There is nobody bigger than MM in Singapore,' said Mr Cheo, who has read and owns both of Mr Lee's previous memoirs. On the question and answer (Q & A) style of the new book, he said: 'I am very interested to see how how he reacts to being interviewed by different generations of reporters and to all the different questions.'

MM Lee: Meritocracy vital for schools

SPEAKING to 800 guests at the Raffles Institution inaugural Gryphon Award, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew reaffirmed his belief in meritocracy as practised in Singapore's education system and the governance of the country. Recalling his days as an RI boy, he said that being surrounded by students from various socio-economic backgrounds made him realise the importance of recognising a person's talent regardless of his race, religion or parent's wealth. MM Lee was the first person to receive the Gryphon Award, which is given to illustrious Rafflesians who have contributed greatly to the nation. At the fund raising dinner held at Ritz-Carlton Millenia, MM Lee pledged $20,000 to Raffles Institution's 1823 Fund. The fund was set up in 2009 shortly after the reintegration of Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College, for the school's scholarship, training and school-building needs. Billionaire Peter Lim, also a Rafflesian, challenged the guests to raise $800,000 that evening. If they did, he would donate another $2.5 million to the 1823 fund.

NTU tuition fees to rise in 2011

NANYANG Technological University (NTU) on Friday announced an increase in tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate courses and financial aid schemes for the Academic Year (AY) 2011, which commences in August 2011.

TUITION FEES FOR UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
This is an increase of 4% in AY2011, similar to AY2010; it represents an annualised increase of 1.6% over 4 years. Business programmes will increase by 6%. The new fees will apply to the AY2011 cohort throughout their course duration. Current students already enrolled in NTU will not be affected by this revision. Similarly, returning National Servicemen will continue to enjoy tuition fees based on the year they were offered a place at the University.

TUITION FEES FOR POSTGRADUATE COURSES
Fees for the incoming intake of students for postgraduate courses (coursework and research) will be adjusted upwards by 6% for AY2011. In subsequent years, the fees for the AY2011 intake will be increased by 3% annually for the remaining duration of their course.

FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS (PR) AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (IS)
To achieve a sharper differentiation by citizenship, PR and IS admitted to NTU in AY2011 will pay between $700 and $1,320 more than the existing fee rates for PR, and between $1,140 and $2,180 more than the existing annual rates for IS. To help students who need assistance, NTU will set aside $5.65 million in financial aid in AY2011. This will provide for bursaries, Work Study Schemes, loans and emergency grants for NTU undergraduates. Professor Er Meng Hwa, Senior Associate Provost in charge of undergraduate education said: 'For Singaporean students, the existing aid schemes will cover all their tuition fees, as well as between 60% and 100% of their living expenses, subject to the qualifying criteria. For needy students who are permanent residents, the existing schemes will ensure that 100% of their tuition fees are covered. For international students, they cover about 85%.'

Police arrest boss of human smuggling syndicate

THE Singapore Police Force - with the assistance of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) - has taken into custody Zulkifly Muhammad, a 38-year-old Malaysian man, for his suspected involvement in leading a human smuggling syndicate. He was arrested in Malaysia and brought back to Singapore on Jan 12 2011 for further investigations. Zulkifly Muhammad is believed to be the leader of a syndicate involved in smuggling illegal immigrants by sea into Singapore through the northern Johor Straits. Investigations revealed that he operated his illegal human smuggling business from Sungei Pok near Kampung Ladang in western Johor, by engaging a team of boatmen to ferry the illegal immigrants to Singapore and a middleman to collect smuggling fees from them. He is also believed to have provided shelter and food for them while waiting for an opportunity to smuggle them into Singapore. Zulkifly Muhammad will be charged in court on Friday. The offence is punishable by imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than five years; as well as caning of not less than three strokes.

2nd COE open bidding exercise on Monday

THE tender for Certificates of Entitlement (COE) will open at 12pm on Monday, Jan 17 and close at 4pm on Wednesday, Jan 19. The total quota available for this tender is 1,955. COEs for categories C and E are valid upon receipt until Apr 30, while COEs for categories A, B and D are valid until July 31. Bid applications can be submitted through the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of DBS/POSB, the Internet Banking facility provided by Citibank and UOB, or via the OCBC phone banking services. The bid deposit for COEs in Categories A, B, C and E is $10,000 per bid application, while that for Category D is $200 per bid application. During the bidding exercise, bidders can check on the status of their bids and revise their reserve price using these banks' services, the LTA Open Bidding website (https://ocoe.lta.gov.sg), or call the LTA Open Bidding Phone System at 6362-1465. The public can check the current COE price on the One.motoring website (http://www.onemotoring.com.sg) or on Teletext. Although the COE Open Bidding System has been designed to handle large numbers of bids, transmission of bid data through the system could be delayed by external factors. The public is advised to bid early, as the system will only process bid submissions or reserve price revisions that reach the processing system before the closing time at 4pm, Jan 19.

Quick News: Thursday, January 13, 2011

2011-01-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

Raffles Education to buy Merchant Square

RAFFLES Education is on track to acquire a commercial building for $65 million to serve as its campus and business premises, in a move away from leasing buildings as it has done in the past. The educational services provider said yesterday that it is buying Merchant Square - a four-storey office tower and two blocks of shophouses in Clarke Quay. The company aims to move into the new premises in early 2013. Raffles Education said that the purchase will enable the company to 'secure a permanent place of business instead of using rented premises and having to re-locate when the lease is up'. Its current campus in Beach Road - whose lease ends in January 2013 - has an estimated enrolment of 1,700 students. The new premises, however, will be able to house up to 2,000 students.

River Hongbao to show specially-commissioned film

THE River Hongbao celebrations this year will have a stronger flavour of home. The highlight is a specially-commissioned short film that shows how Chinese New Year has been celebrated here since the 1970s. The 15-minute film by award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen will be shown at the opening ceremony of the annual Chinese New Year carnival on Feb 1 at the F1 grandstand. The debut screening will be accompanied by a live performance of the film score by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. The score was composed by the orchestra's maestro, Yeh Tsung. Mr Seng Han Thong, chairman of the organising committee of River Hongbao 2011, said he hopes the local acts will "bring out the flavour and atmosphere of Chinese New Year festivities in Singapore". Other homegrown acts at the 13-day celebration held at The Float@Marina Bay include performances by members of xinyao - local Chinese folk music scene - and Chinese clan associations.

SPH publishes new book on MM Lee Kuan Yew's 'Hard Truths'

A NEW book to be launched on Jan 21 will offer a rare glimpse into the mind of the most influential man in Singapore's history. Titled 'Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going', it is based on 16 interviews the Minister Mentor gave to seven journalists from The Straits Times from December 2008 to October 2009. The 458-page, 11-chapter tome is a comprehensive examination of Mr Lee's beliefs. It covers weighty topics such as Singapore's political system, climate change and international relations, but also lighter ones, like his views on tattoos, fengshui and movies. One distinctive feature is its extensive use of the question-and-answer format, which the authors hoped would engage younger readers and capture unvarnished, the robust exchanges between Mr Lee and his interviewers. 'There hasn't been a book like this where his views are subjected to such intense questioning and scrutiny in 32 hours of interviews,' said The Straits Times editor Han Fook Kwang, 57, who led the team of seven writers.

President Nathan confers top award on Thai General

President S.R. Nathan presented the Royal Thai Army Forces Chief of Defence Forces (RTARF) General Songkitti Jaggabatara with the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang, Singapore's highest military award. The ceremony took place at the Istana on Thursday afternoon. Gen Songkitti was recognised for his role in strengthening the defence ties between the RTARF and the Singapore Armed Forces. His support for a closer cooperation between the two defence establishments has enhanced understanding and personal friendships between the officers and men of both armed forces. Guests attending the investiture comprised Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Permanent Secretary for Defence Chiang Chie Foo and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong, along with other senior government and military personnel from Singapore and Thailand.

Jailed a day and fined for slashing boyfriend

FRUSTRATED that his girlfriend had changed her mind about going to Batam with him last June, school manager Daniel Kok Yee Meng, 32, took a knife and pretended to cut himself on his arm in front of her. When she did not react, he accused her of being interested in another man and slapped her. Koo Yoke Pei, 30, then a secretary, went into the kitchen, took out another knife and slashed him on the back. Police were summoned and she was arrested. On Thursday, a district court sentenced Koo to one day in jail and a $5,000 fine. The divorcee with a nine-year-old daughter and twin sons, aged seven, had pleaded guilty last month. Then, the court heard that Mr Kok was with Koo in her flat in Maude Road in Jalan Besar at about 2am on June 5 last year. They had been at a pub earlier. The couple had quarrelled, and she told him she was not going to accompany him to visit the Indonesian island of Batam. The argument then escalated and he flew into a rage and slapped her several times. This time, she reacted. From the kitchen, she took a knife with a 20cm-long blade and slashed him. A medical report from Tan Tock Seng Hospital indicated he had a shallow 15cm-long cut on his back and four to five abrasions on his forearm.

Red Cross allowed to resume fundraising

THE Commissioner of Charities (COC) said in a statement on Thursday that the Singapore Red Cross is now permitted to resume its fundraising activities. It had, last month, been advised against actively raising funds, for example in the form of direct mailers, charity bazaars and flag days, after an employee had been found to have misappropriated funds. In a statement, the COC said: 'Singapore Red Cross has shared its investigation findings and follow-up actions with COC office. We are satisfied with the actions that have been or will be taken to rectify the areas of weaknesses identified, pending the outcomes of the police investigation.We are confident that the Singapore Red Cross is fully committed to prevent such incidents from recurring in future.' The Singapore Red Cross also said in a press statement today that after an audit was conducted at the end of last year, it was found the the employee, an administrative assistant in the finance department, had taken slightly more than $76,000 and not $90,000 as previously estimated. Police are still investigating the case. The Singapore Red Cross attributed the misappropriation to a delegation of responsibilities without proper approval, lack of supervisory checks, and non-compliance of standard operating procedures in the areas of cash-handling and documentation. It has since taken measures to tighten these procedures.

Tough new measures to cool property market

THE Government announced on Thursday the fourth round of property cooling measures to 'maintain a stable and sustainable property market'.
They include:
1) Increasing the holding period for imposition of Seller's Stamp Duty (SSD) from the current three years to four years;

2) Raising the SSD rates to 16 per cent, 12 per cent, 8 per cent and 4 per cent of consideration for residential properties which are bought on or after Friday, and are sold in the first, second, third and fourth year of purchase respectively;

3) Lower the Loan-To-Value (LTV) limit to 50 per cent on housing loans granted by financial institutions regulated by MAS for property purchasers who are not individuals

4) Lower the LTV limit on housing loans granted by financial institutions regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore from 70 per cent to 60 per cent for property purchasers who are individuals with one or more outstanding housing loans at the time of the new housing purchase.

The measures will take effect on Friday.

Thanks from Australian High Commissioner

THE Australian High Commissioner has expressed his thanks to Singaporeans for their condolences and offers of assistance over the floods in Queensland, which have claimed lives and left thousands unable to return home. Said His Excellency Doug Chester in a statement on Thursday: 'Their concern and sympathies reflect the strong ties and extensive links between Australia and Singapore, and are very much appreciated.' Australia's state and federal governments are currently working hard to provide relief to flood-affected Australians, and to support the rebuilding of homes and communities, he added. This comes a day after Singapore President SR Nathan sent a condolence message to Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce, expressing his sympathies for the victims of the widespread flooding. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also spoke to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard earlier on Wednesday and offered assistance.

Woman stole from sis and boyfriend

A WOMAN was jailed for 14 months on Thursday for cheating and theft. Siti Rosdiana Rosdi, 29, unemployed, had pleaded guilty to cheating a friend, Mr Mohamed Zain Abdul Wahab, 55, of $1,100 and $1,400 last Aug 4 and 6 respectively. She had deceived him into believing that her father had financial difficulties and was warded in hospital when she knew it was false. The victim found out the truth on Aug 24 when he managed to contact her father. She also admitted to stealing a laptop and a USB broadband totalling $688 from her elder sister, Rosdiawaty, 34, at their Yishun Ring Road home on June 19 last year.
About three years ago, while she was staying at the Chai Chee flat of her then boyfriend, Mr Amir Abu Samah, now 39, she stole $5,500 from him. Four other charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust and theft were considered during her sentencing. She has previous convictions for property-related offences in 2001 and 2007.

Maids and employer charged with loansharking

THREE Filipino maids and a Singaporean woman were charged in court on Thursday with operating unlicensed moneylending businesses. Honey Irene Busto Pande, 27, Amparo Cacayuran Gayo, 36, Melanie Jacalan Munar, 28, and Koh Suat Lay, 47, were remanded for a week for permission to take them out for investigation Honey allegedly helped one Lawrence Yeo to carry out business as a loanshark at an Upper Serangoon View condominium by issuing a $300-loan to Amparo on June 16 last year at an interest rate of 15 per cent. Amparo is accused of conspiring with Honey and Yeo by helping Honey to give out a $300-loan to Ms Lorelie Marie Vidal Amito at 20 per cent interest on July 25 last year. Melanie allegedly helped Koh, her employer, to issue a loan of $500 to Ms Elizabeth Manuel Lasquite at 50 per cent interest repayable over three months at Lucky Plaza in February last year. Koh is said to have operated as an illegal moneylender by issuing the $500-loan to Ms Lasquite.

Hop to museums for special bunny hongbaos

THE Museum Roundtable (MR) is giving away exclusive rabbit-themed hongbaos to celebrate the Lunar New Year from Jan 15 to Feb 13. The free hongbaos come in 39 designs, and will be distributed at participating national museums and heritage galleries across the island. Limited edition gold hongbao box sets will be on sale at $18 each at the River Hongbao 2011, from Feb 1 to Feb 13. Each comprises 48 gold hongbaos, which include the new designs. The National Heritage Board (NHB) will be offering free entry to all NHB museums on Feb 4, its Lunar New Year Open House Day. At the Singapore Art Museum, Walter The Rabbit, from the popular NHB's Children's Season 2010, will be a highlight.

People's Park Complex murder: Man charged

AN ODD-JOB worker was charged on Thursday with the murder of a 70-year-old man at People's Park Complex Food Centre earlier in the week. Lee Beng Chuan, 57, allegedly caused the death of Mr Heng Teck Hong at the food centre in New Market Road between 7.45pm and 8.21pm on Tuesday Jan 11.Mr Heng was apparently punched after taking a swig of beer at the food centre. Known by his neighbours in Chin Swee Road as the 'Spiderman uncle', he was reported in 2008 to have insisted on climbing in and out of his one-room flat via the staircase landing, as he often lost his keys. Lee, who was arrested at Petir Road on Wednesday, was remanded for a week at Central police station for investigation. If convicted of murder, he faces the mandatory death penalty.

Beer brawl death: Man an 'eccentric'

THE rag-and-bone man who died following a brawl over a mug of beer in People's Park this week was known among his neighbours for his eccentricities and drinking habit. Mr Heng Teck Hong, 70, made a little money selling recyclables he collected; he also got welfare handouts and $200 a month from his niece, said his roommate of 10 years, Mr Goh Ah Seng, a 60-year-old cleaner. 'Ah Heng was a man who just did whatever he felt like doing and lived by the day. He did not have a schedule, only that he had to have his ABC Stout every day,' said Mr Goh. Mr Heng's needs were simple, he said. Lunch and dinner were packaged meals from the Thye Hwa Kwan Moral Society - delivered daily. What little money he had went into beer and cigarettes at the People's Park food centre. It was there that he apparently took a swig of beer from someone else's mug on Tuesday, for which witnesses said he was punched. It is believed he fell and injured his head. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Police have arrested a 57- year-old man in connection with Mr Heng's death.

Taekwondo champ faces vice-related and bribery charges

HE WAS the winner of Singapore's first taekwondo gold medal, at the 1993 SEA Games. Now, Wong Jing Ching, 39, is in the news again, this time for 18 charges related to corruption and seven charges for vice-related offences under the Women's Charter. Wong, also known as Patrick Champion Wong, was 22 when he triumphed in the flyweight category of the taekwondo competition at Yishun Sports Hall. At that time, the athlete, who quit school at 17 to train full-time, had said with tears rolling down his cheeks: 'At last, I have it. This is what I've been after for the last four years. I did it, I did it.' Now, he faces a different fight. Last June, he first appeared in the district court on a single charge of knowingly living in part on the earnings of a 21-year-old Uzbekistani prostitute at Landmark Village Hotel, formerly known as Golden Landmark Hotel, from May 4 to 30. He subsequently faced six more charges. Two are for living on the earnings of two teen prostitutes, also from Uzbekistan, from end-April to May 31 last year. He was also accused of receiving the three women at Changi Airport, knowing that they had been procured for prostitution, as well as managing a contact point for prostitutes between April 29 and June 2 last year.

Martial arts instructor charged with rape of student

HE WAS the instructor of the martial arts club in a secondary school, and she, a Secondary 1 student, was a new club member. A month after she joined the club, the 41-year-old married father of two asked the 13-year-old to be his girlfriend. They became physically intimate and had sex in his car. They even went to a temple to solemnise their 'marriage', and addressed each other as lao gong (husband in Mandarin) and lao po (wife). All this was related by prosecutors in the High Court yesterday, the first day of the man's trial on three counts of statutory rape and four counts of sexual exploitation. The alleged offences took place between February and May 2007. The man, now 45, is denying the allegations. He is defended by Mr Martin Decruz, and will rely on a home video shot by one of his disciples as an alibi for two of the charges.

Quick News: Wednesday, January 12, 2011

2011-01-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

Brisbane going 'under': Accounts from S'poreans

STRAITSTIMES.COM had published on Wednesday, an online call to Singaporeans and Singapore residents based in flood-stricken Brisbane to contact The Straits Times with their accounts. The replies have been streaming in and a stirring early account came from a husband whose wife is now stuck there. This is the letter from Mr Terence Lim Wen Song, a final year medical student at University of Queensland. 'I have been living in Brisbane for the past three years. I am currently in Singapore and I was supposed to fly back this coming week as my term will start on Jan 24. My wife, Michelle, who is also studying at Uni of Queensland, flew over to Brisbane on Jan 10 (Monday), in time to start her Graduate Law training. Unfortunately, after she landed in Brisbane, she told me over the phone about the relentless heavy rain there. 'We are currently staying in a unit apartment along MacQuarie Street, in a suburb named St. Lucia, and it is closely situated to the University of Queensland campus. The crucial fact is that our riverview apartment block is just within 10 metres from the Brisbane River. 'Although we are staying on the 5th level, there have been fears. My wife has been telling me that the river has burst its bank and is encroaching towards our building. The houses across the river (as we can see from our balcony) have all been partially submerged.

A call to Singaporeans or S'pore residents in Brisbane

CALLING all Singaporeans, or Singapore residents based in flood-hit Brisbane, Australia, The Straits Times would like to contact you, or have you send us your messages, or pictures from the scene itself, to tell us how you've been coping if you have been directly affected. If you know of friends, family, and other Singaporeans or such Singapore residents there - and have been in contact with them regularly - do tell us more. Email your name, mobile phone or contact numbers to stonline@sph.com.sg and give us details like your location, and do send your pictures and thoughts as you cope with the ongoing tragedy in Brisbane. The AFP news service reported that Brisbane was besieged on Wednesday by once-in-a-century floods that could hit more than 30,000 homes, as the death toll in raging torrents rose to 12. Thousands of people have already fled to higher ground and Brisbane's centre was a 'ghost town' as the river city of two million prepares later on Wednesday for its worst deluge since 1893. More than 50 suburbs and 2,100 roads are expected to be left under water as the Brisbane River bursts its banks and swamps the city centre, along with other areas, with the peak of 5.5m due around dawn on Thursday. Damage is already intense, with witnesses spotting entire houses in the river.

Education profile of S'poreans 'improved significantly'

SINGAPOREANS are now a better educated bunch, according to the Census of Population 2010 released by the Singapore Department of Statistics on Wednesday. Overall, 49 per cent of the non-student residents aged 15 years and over in 2010 had at least post-secondary qualifications, up from 33 per cent in 2000. The share of university graduates also increased significantly from 12 per cent in 2000 to 23 per cent in 2010. The proportion of university graduates among residents aged 25 to 34 years rose from 24 per cent in 2000 to 47 per cent in 2010. Literacy rates in residents 15 and above moved up from 93 per cent in 2000 to 96 per cent last year. The number of Singaporeans proficient in two or more languages jumped from 56 per cent ten years ago to 71 per cent in 2010. The use of English at home is also more prevalent, especially among the younger age groups. Among residents aged five to 14 years old, English was the home language for 52 per cent of Chinese and 50 per cent of Indians. Twenty-six per cent of Malays in the same age group now speak English at home, a spike from 9.4 per cent in 2000.

S'porean singles, aged 30 to 34 years, up by 10%

THE Census of Population 2010 released by the Singapore Department of Statistics reveals a rise in the number of singles, especially prominent in the younger age groups between 2000 and 2010. Among Singapore citizens aged 30 to 34 years, the proportion of singles rose significantly from 33 to 43 per cent for males, and from 22 to 31 per cent for females. This translates to a 10 per cent and 9 per cent increase respectively. Singlehood was most prevalent among citizen males with below secondary qualifications and graduate citizen females. On the family front, there has been an increase of 6 per cent - from 14 per cent in 2000 to 20 per cent in 2010 - in the proportion of childless families. This took place among females aged 30 to 39 years. The age group of 40 to 49 years saw an increase of 6.4 per cent to 9.3 per cent during the same period. An upward trend has been noted in the number of families that only have one child. Among females aged 40 to 49 years, the proportion went up from 15 per cent in 2000 to 19 per cent in 2010. Families with two children continue to be the norm.

Cancellation of bidding exercise for vehicle numbers

THE weekly bidding exercise for vehicle registration numbers will not be held from Jan 29 to Feb 1. The Land Transport Authority announced in its statement on Wednesday that the cancellation of the bidding exercise was due to the upcoming Chinese New Year public holidays on Feb 3 and 4. The weekly bidding exercise for vehicle registration numbers will resume on Feb 5, a Saturday. But the weekly bidding exercises for vehicle registration numbers prior to the Chinese New Year public holidays - remain as scheduled:
* Jan 15 to 18
* Jan 22 to 25

Chinatown roads affected by Chinese New Year festivities

TO MANAGE upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations in late January and early February, traffic routes in the Chinatown area will be temporarily changed. New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and Keong Siak Road will be closed on Jan 15 from 2pm to 11pm and on Feb 2, 5pm to 3am. This is to make way for the opening ceremony and countdown celebration of the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2011 respectively. To be held at New Bridge Road, 15,000 people are anticipated to turn up on Jan 15, while a crowd of 40,000 is expected on Feb 2. During the road closure periods, Mosque Street will become a two-way road to allow access to and from South Bridge Road. SBS and SMRT buses serving the affected roads will also be diverted during the road closures.

Agent jailed for embezzling $15,000

FOR four years, an embezzler eluded police and refused to assist them in the investigations. Abdul Samat Kaman's luck finally ran out in January last year when he was identified in a police check and arrested. On Wednesday, the 57-year-old pleaded guilty to committing criminal breach of trust (CBT) and was jailed three months. A district court heard that in 2005 Abdul Samat was working as a freelance sales representative with Hamid & Sons Renovation Contractor located in Marsiling Industrial Park. The firm was owned by Meng Design & Build, and his duties included presenting quotations and to collect down-payments and progressive payments for work to proceed. Instead, he pocketed several payments amounting to $14,940 between Dec 20, 2005 and March 13, 2006 when he stopped reporting for work. Checks by the accounts department then revealed the offences and police were informed on March 17. All attempts by the police to find Abdul Samat came to nought and when contacted over the phone, he said he was not coming in to assist in the investigation. His name was then placed on the police gazette and he became a wanted man. It is believed he hid out in Singapore until his arrest.

Jailed 7 years for stealing 18 generators

A MAN would hire a lorry with a crane on the pretext of transporting heavy machinery from a worksite. Unknown to the lorry driver, Nanthakumaran Lokanathan was not a worker at that site but was on a stealing spree. By the time. the 34-year-old Singaporean was found out, he had stolen more than $240,000 worth of generators. He was sentenced to seven years corrective training on Wednesday. A district court had heard that Nanthakumaran has been in trouble with the law on four occasions since 1997 for theft and disposing of stolen property. He was also found suitable for corrective training, which can last from five to 14 years, is meant for recalcitrant offenders, with no remission for good behaviour. The general worker was caught on July 11 last year after driving off with metal sheets worth $12,000 from a construction site in Jurong East. Two workers at the construction site had stopped the lorry and Nanthakumaran spun a story that he was moving the metal sheets to another construction site in Tampines on the instructions of a 'Mr Choo'. The two workers played it safe by taking pictures of the lorry before allowing it to leave. When the theft was discovered some hours later, police had no problem finding the lorry at Old Tampines Road.
Investigations then revealed that Nanthakumaran stole 18 generators between Oct 2009 and July last year. His busiest period was between April 2 till July 1, when he filched 15 generators from worksites in Yio Chu Kang, Jurong, Ang Mo Kio, Tampines and Mandai. The court documents indicate that the offences were committed on holidays or either very early in the morning or late in the evening of workdays.

Singapore wants justice in Romania diplomat case

BUCHAREST - SINGAPORE is closely watching the trial of a Romanian diplomat charged with manslaughter following a hit-and-run car accident in the city state and wants 'justice' to be done, a Singapore envoy in Romania said on Wednesday.
'The Singapore government is still watching what is happening very closely", envoy Anil Kumar Nayar told AFP as the trial of a Romanian charge d'affaires accused of killing a man in a car accident in Singapore in 2009 is scheduled to restart on Wednesday. 'The most important thing for us is that we want to make sure that justice is done and we have a commitment from the Romanian government as well that they too would like to see that justice is done", the Brussels-based envoy added while waiting for the hearing to start at a Bucharest tribunal. Silviu Ionescu, a former charge d'affaires in Singapore, has been charged with manslaughter, causing physical injuries and making false statements after a deadly car accident in December 2009 in Singapore. The diplomat is alleged to have hit three pedestrians while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission. One of them, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day. Ionescu is also alleged to have fled the scene. However he denies he was the driver and says the car was stolen.

MTA writes to Transport Minister on COE system

THE Motor Traders' Association has written to the Minister for Transport Raymond Lim to provide suggestions to finetune the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system to better cater to both the motor industry and car buyers. This move was prompted by the high COE prices currently seen which have come on the back of sharp cuts in the COE quota over the last 12 months. The MTA has suggested to Mr Lim that taxis should be excluded from the Vehicle Quota System (VQS) in the Category A COE quota, as it exerts unnecessary pressure on COE premiums. This reason given by the association is because taxis are a form of public transport and like other forms of public transport, it should be excluded from the VQS. Now, taxi operators compete with the private car buyer for a COE in Category A. As business enterprises, they can bid more for such COEs. The MTA has proposed that the government regulate the taxi population separately through issuance of COEs meant specifically for taxis. Another suggestion is to do away with Category E COEs - which can be used for any vehicle type but ends up mainly for cars. They should be removed in order to allow for a more equitable spread of the COE quota. The MTA says this move will prevent possible speculation of Category E COEs.

Woman charged with 68 counts of cheating and forgery

A FORMER sales manager was charged in court on Wednesday with cheating her boss of $134,200 and making false tax invoices. Chan Yoke Lan, 35 was with Regional Design & Contracts, a furniture specialist, when she allegedly deceived the owner, Mr Yam Kok Wai, on 39 occasions into believing that she needed cash to buy furniture for clients between July 2009 and June last year. She also faces 29 charges of forgery allegedly committed at the Race Course Road premises between November 2009 and May last year. Chan, who was represented by Mr Tan Cheng Kiong, will appear in court again on Feb 9. If convicted of cheating, she can be jailed for up to 10 years and a fine on each charge. For forgery, the maximum penalty is four years and a fine.

Bus 186 to skip one bus stop temporarily

SBS bus service 186 will temporarily skip the bus stop opposite the PWC Building (bus stop 03041) along Cross Street from 11am on Saturday, Jan 15, to 5am on Monday, Jan 17. This is due to lane closure to facilitate the removal of the viaduct. Passengers who want to get to Cross Street can alight at the bus stop along Cecil Street, opposite the GB Building.

Please refer to www.sbstransit.com.sg for more details.

Man accused of 18 graft charges

AN UNEMPLOYED man was charged in court on Wednesday with corruptly giving bribes totalling $9,400 to two security supervisors to close an eye on his suspected vice-related activities at a hotel.
Wong Jing Ching alias Patrick Champion Wong, 40, allegedly gave a total of $7,600 to one Sazali Kassim, 31, near Landmark Village Hotel between April 2009 and May last year. He is said to have abetted Mr Sazali in a conspiracy to give bribes of between $200 and $600 to the latter's colleague, Muhammad Farhan Osman, 23, in return for not reporting his suspected vice-related activities in the hotel to the management. The five alleged incidents occurred between January and May last year. Wong, who is out on bail, had been charged earlier with seven counts of living in part on the earnings of prostitutes, receiving three of the Uzbekistan women at Changi Airport, and managing a contact point for prostitution at the hotel in Victoria Street. A pre-trial conference has been fixed for Monday.

Fewer people taking up driving lessons

THERE will be fewer new drivers on the road this year compared to last year, going by fresh statistics from the Traffic Police. The number of people taking up lessons to get their driving licences is estimated to have dipped by 30 per cent between the period from January to September last year, and the same period the year before.

Neighbours at Bishan block mourn deaths

ONE fall, two deaths. At least, it looks to be that way with the pair of women for whom wakes are being held in adjoining blocks in Bishan Street 13.
Their families, who barely know each other, were trying to come to terms with the deaths on Tuesday, even as police reviewed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to find out how the pair came to be found dead at the foot of the same block on the same day, at the same time. One of them is believed to have been crushed when the other fell on her, but what exactly happened on Monday morning is a mystery. No witnesses have come forward. Ms Lau Fong Kien, a 55-year-old retiree who lived on the 15th floor, had head injuries and wounds on her knee.

Quick News: Tuesday, January 11, 2011

2011-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

The Online Citizen to be listed as political association

THE Prime Minster's Office (PMO) has announced on Tuesday its intention to gazette news website. The Online Citizen (TOC) as a political association. The Registry of Political Donations, under the PMO, said in a press release that it has informed the site's founders of its decision via a letter sent on Monday. On why the decision to gazette TOC, the PMO explained in the statement: 'As a website that provides coverage and analysis of political issues, TOC has the potential to influence the opinions of their readership and shape political outcomes in Singapore. It has been gazetted to ensure that it is not funded by foreign elements or sources.' The Political Donations Act, it added, 'prohibits political parties, political associations and candidates in parliamentary or presidential elections from accepting donations from impermissible or foreign sources. It also requires these entities to report large donations that they have received.' However, after registration, TOC 'is entirely free to continue with its normal, lawful operations, and to receive financial support from Singaporeans and Singapore-controlled companies'. TOC has acknowledged receipt of the PMO's correspondence. Found on its website on Tuesday evening is this post: 'The email arrived at 4.13 pm today and included a nine-page registration form. Particulars demanded in the form include details of the web publisher, web host and five other editorial members currently residing in Singapore. TOC has 14 days to register.'

24 arrested in islandwide anti-loansharking operation

THE police arrested 22 men and 2 women in an island-wide operation from Sunday to Monday for suspected involvement in loansharking activities. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 24 people, aged between 19 and 60 years, had opened bank accounts and given away their automated teller machine (ATM) cards and Personal Identification Numbers to loansharking syndicates. Five of the suspects are also believed to have carried out harassments for the loansharks, while two others are believed to have carried out bank transfers and verified debtor particulars respectively. Two ATM cards, one bank account book, three mobile phones and three black marker pens were seized as case exhibits. Three of the suspects were charged in court on Tuesday. The remaining four suspects will be charged in court on Wednesday. Investigations against the remaining suspects are on-going.

More young people caught for loansharking

MORE young people were arrested for loansharking last year against the year before, many of them lured by the promise of easy money. Between January and November last year, police caught 159 young people aged 19 years and below who were involved in loansharking and related harassment activities, a 12 per cent rise from the 142 nabbed in the same period in 2009. In the first 11 months of last year, police arrested 1,443 people in total for loansharking and harassment activities, an increase of about 66 per cent from 868 in the same period the year before. In Parliament on Tuesday, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, revealed these numbers in reply to questions from Nominated MP Paulin Tay Straughan on young people arrested for loansharking activities. He also shed light on the profile of these young offenders. The majority were between 16 and 19. However, arrests of those under 16 had dropped to 16 last year, from 27 the year before, as a result of an amendment to the Moneylenders Act in January, which made it illegal for adults aged 21 and above to recruit young people below 16 for illegal moneylending activities. 'We believe that the enhanced penalties is one of the reasons why the number of cases has dropped,' said Prof Ho.

A Total Defence first for charity

THE 2011 Total Defence campaign will not just remind Singaporeans of their role to play in defending the country but, for the first time, do its bit for charity. The annual drive, started in 1984 to remind Singaporeans of the country's limited resources and each person's role in defending it, aims to raise $200,000 for beneficiaries under the Community Chest. To raise funds, netizens will just have to click and download the music video of the song Home, which has been picked to raise awareness of the Total Defence campaign, themed 'Home - Keeping it Together'. For every download, five organisations and homegrown companies will pledge $1 to the Community Chest's beneficiaries. They include the Lee Foundation, Sembcorp Industries and Aurigin Technology. Total Defence Day, a grim reminder of a small country's vulnerability, is marked every year on Feb 15, to remember the day in 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese in World War II. This year, the song Home has been given a new arrangement by Ms Kit Chan and other arrangers, and will be sung by her, with help from 38 local songbirds, including Ramli Sarip, Jacinta Abisheganaden and Stefanie Sun. The Dick Lee-penned number will be aired on radio from Feb 15 and the video, produced by Ms Chan, will be shown on TV and the Total Defence campaign website, http://www.thisishome.sg/

S'pore's biggest chip-maker continues hiring

DESPITE the global slowdown in demand for computer chips, Singapore's biggest chip-maker plans to continue hiring this year as it gears up to start production of new cutting-edge products. This is a huge turnaround for GlobalFoundries, formerly Chartered Semiconductor, which is also doubling its global spending on plant and equipment this year to US$5.4 billion (S$7 billion). The firm had implemented painful retrenchments in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis with many of its factories sitting idle owing to lack of demand. In the first quarter of 2009, upwards of 60 per cent of its production capacity was unused, prompting the company to retrench 500 of its then-6,400 strong workforce. However, last year, GlobalFoundries enjoyed a banner year, with its Singapore plants running at upwards of 90 per cent utilisation rates, said its general manager for Singapore, Mr Raj Kumar, at a briefing on Tuesday. To cope with the demand, GlobalFoundries added 1,000 staff, boosting its Singapore workforce to 7,500. It has 11,000 employees at some eight factories globally. This year, the industry is looking at a 'slow slowdown', said Mr Kumar, although he is confident the firm will be able to win enough business to allow its utilisation rates to stay at similar levels.

4 new MRT stations for East-West line reaching Tuas

FOUR new MRT stations will be built on the East-West line, extending the rail system's reach into the Tuas industrial estate. This new rail project is estimated to cost $3.5 billion and will include the cost of the new stations, a new depot, 13 new trains and a viaduct running parallel to the train line. When completed in 2016, the new 7.5km extension is expected to cater to 100,000 passengers daily. The recent extension of Boon Lay to Joo Koon station now serves about 60,000 passengers daily. From Joo Koon station, the line will extend further westwards to serve commuters heading to Tuas, Tuas Crescent, Tuas West and Tuas Link. Trains will end their journey at the new 26ha depot, the fourth depot in Singapore. It will fit 60 trains, compared to Bishan's storage of 37 trains.

Singapore kids want to be soccer players

THE Lions may have been disbanded, but World Cup fever appears to linger on as children in Singapore say they want to be soccer players when they grow up. This was revealed during the fifth annual Adecco Children's Career Survey by human resources company Adecco Singapore, where 100 children aged seven to 14 years were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. This is the first time in the survey's history that the soccer player profession has emerged tops, with 10 per cent of those surveyed opting for this career. The 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa last year as well as the success of the Singapore Cubs during the Youth Olympic Games may be influencing reasons, according to Adecco. The children were also asked what three things they would do first if they were to become the prime minister of Singapore. One child said that he would 'ensure that everyone in Singapore has an education', while another wanted to 'air condition the entire nation'.

No action, but warning given to SingTel & StarHub

THERE is not enough evidence for formal action against pay-TV providers who may have signed late exclusive deals, before new rules requiring telcos to share exclusive content kicked in last year. Communications and the Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew said in Parliament on Tuesday that the Media Development Authority (MDA) had - after a review of specific content agreements - issued a warning not to flout laws. In April 2010, Singapore's SingTel and StarHub - both rivals in the pay-TV arena here - were asked to provide authorities with relevant information on whether long-term exclusive contracts were signed before the implementation of the cross-carriage agreement. The new law means pay-TV providers with broadcast rights to any programme must cross-carry each other's content, so multiple set-top boxes are not needed by consumers. The rule applies to any contract signed or renewed from Mar 12 2010. Mr Lui said: 'The measure does not in any way prohibit local pay-TV retailers from entering into exclusive arrangements with content providers; neither does it require an exclusive licensee to sub-license or to re-sell the exclusive content to other pay-TV retailers. 'In addition, the measure is designed to apply to content agreements in a prospective manner, and continues to provide retailers and content providers the commercial flexibility to bundle or to package content in ways that best meets consumer needs.'

Impossible for S'pore to block all undesirable sites

GIVEN the borderless nature of the Internet, it is not possible for the Government to block every undesirable website, said Information, Communications and Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew on Tuesday in Parliament. But he added that where necessary, the Government will block some pornographic and other undesirable sites, especially those that are more prominent. He was responding to questions from Member of Parliament Cynthia Phua (Aljunied GRC) on whether the ministry could block pornographic sites, and ask internet service providers (ISPs) to provide free blocking services. Mr Lui said that ISPs are required to block 100 sites as 'a symbolic statement of our community's stand on harmful and undesirable content on the Internet'. ISPs will also be required to actively market their Internet filtering services to consumers when they purchase or renew their Internet subscriptions. This, he said, would be more beneficial than providing free filters, 'as parents can learn about and understand the benefits of such filtering services and exercise parental responsibility to protect their children'. Mr Lui said that a Censorship Review Committee survey in 2010 found that 71 per cent of Internet users who are parents with young children are not subscribers of Internet filters.

2 human smugglers and 5 illegal immigrants arrested

TWO human smugglers who attempted to sneak five illegal immigrants into Singapore on Monday morning were arrested by the Police Coast Guard (PCG). A PCG officer spotted an unlit vessel moving towards the shorelines of Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve at 5.35am. Five people were later seen disembarking and running towards the nature reserve. The boatman and his assistant then steered their boat towards Malaysia territorial waters but made a U-turn to the shore after spotting PCG patrol boats converging on them. They beached at the shore, and also ran towards the nature reserve.
All seven were eventually caught in a joint operation involving the PCG's Coastal Security Patrol Force, Jurong Police Division, Special Operations Command and the Gurhka Contingent Of the seven people, five were female illegal immigrants from China between 32 and 54 years, while the boatman and his assistant were Malaysians, aged 54 and 21 respectively. All seven suspects were not in possession of any valid travel documents and will be charged in court on Wednesday for unlawful entry. The boatman and his assistant will also face five additional counts of smuggling illegal immigrants.

Bus fare refunds: extension not needed for now

ABOUT $46,000 of refunds on overcharged bus fares has been collected, out of an estimated $300,000 owed to commuters. Transport Minister Raymond Lim revealed this in Parliament on Tuesday in response to questions from Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) on how many had claimed their overcharged funds. The overcharging began from July 2010, when distance-based fares kicked in, and bus operators SBS Transit and SMRT wrongly measured the distance between 68 pairs of bus stops. On average, commuters had paid four cents more than they should have, on every journey passing through the affected bus stops. They have until June 17, 2011 to get their refund at any TransitLink ticket office or any Add Value Machine at bus interchanges and MRT stations. Asked whether the ministry would consider extending the deadline for claims collection by another six months if a large sum is still uncollected, Mr Lim said: ' I think that right now, we have given six months and it's quite a long time. I think we can look at it closer to the day.'

New money from IRs, other gambling revenues down

REVENUE from the integrated resorts (IRs) between April and November last year may have hit about $420 million but collections from other gambling activities have fallen. Second Minister for Finance Lim Hwee Hua said this in Parliament on Tuesday. Levies charged for entry at the IRs raked in $130 million for the Totalisator Board during the same period in 2010. They will go towards funding activities benefiting the community. Areas include education, health, sports and the arts. Revenues collected by the Government from the IRs will go to the Consolidated Fund. Mrs Lim said the fund is not earmarked for specific purposes. Instead, it goes towards funding the Government budget as a whole.

Man jailed 12 months for cheating offences

A FORMER property agent was jailed a total of 12 months on Tuesday for pocketing the rental deposits of clients, cheating and forgery. Choo Kok Onn, 42, had admitted to three charges of criminal breach of trust as an agent, and one each of cheating and forgery. The total amount involved in the 14 charges against him was $19,353. A district court heard that Choo would take the victims to view the flats for rental and misappropriate the deposits and advance rental payment given to him. The victims handed over between $2,200 and $3,586 between December 2009 and July last year.
In another case, Choo duped Ms Chen Yihong, 28, into handing over a total of $2,255 to him after making her believe that a unit at New Upper Changi Road was for rent when he knew that someone else had rented it. Choo also forged the signature of his wife, Madam Sim Ah Wah, 28, on an OCBC cheque for $5,100 to pay to Mr Varathan Govindarajan, 35, one of his victims, in June last year. The cheque bounced when the victim tried to bank it in.

Hit-and-run lorry ruins avid gardener's efforts

A LORRY mounted a kerb and ploughed into a manicured stretch of pavement along Sunset Heights on Monday, uprooting more than 10 trees there. The driver did not stick around to survey the damage caused.

Two neighbours' bodies found at Bishan block

THE body of a woman suffering from depression was found barely a metre away from that of her 15th floor neighbour at the foot of their Bishan St 13 block on Monday. Administrative assistant Ng Sock Luan, 48, and retiree Lau Fong Kien, 55, who lived on the 11th and 15th floor respectively, were long-time residents of the block but did not know each other. A member of the public had alerted police at about 11.20am about the two bodies. Both were pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived shortly later. Some medication and food items were discovered next to Ms Lau's body. It is believed that they died around the same time. The two women had very different personalities, relatives told The Straits Times, adding that Madam Ng could have fallen on Ms Lau.

Illegal KTV hostesses living on the edge

AT THE New Year weekend, a petite Chinese girl was fussing over her patron at a KTV lounge in the Selegie area when a waiter burst into the room to warn of police checks. Tearing off her high heels, the 23-year-old raced up to the rooftop with other hostesses, huddling there for a few hours until the officers left.

Quick News: Monday, January 10, 2011

2011-01-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

JTC selling off more industrial properties

INDUSTRIAL landlord JTC Corporation has embarked on the second phase of its exercise to sell off many of its industrial properties so it can focus on developing new ideas to give Singapore an edge. The move also aims to promote greater competition in the market. JTC is now selling 21 blocks of flatted factories and amenity centres mainly in areas such as Tai Seng, Kolam Ayer, Kallang Basin, Bedok and Kampong Ubi. It has not put forward a guide figure but reports suggest the total could be in the range of $600 million to $700 million. The first phase of divestments was finalised in 2008 when JTC sold 39 high-rise ready-built factories worth a combined $1.7 billion to Temasek Holdings unit Mapletree Investments. The latest portfolio will be divided into two tranches according to location, tenure and size, with the two-stage tender process closing on March 1.

Foreign lawyers to practise Singapore commercial law

BY THE end of the year, foreign lawyers may practise Singapore commercial law here - if they sit for, and pass, an examination set by the new Singapore Institute of Legal Education. The new bill tabled in Parliament on Monday by Law Minister K Shanmugam will add supply to meet the bigger pie from regional and cross-border needs say industry players. Currently there are 966 foreign lawyers registered with the Attorney-General's Chambers to practise foreign law here. According to the bill tendered by Law Minister K Shanmugam, the exams will be prepared and issued by the new Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE). The SILE which will replace the current Board of Legal Education which currently runs the courses preparing lawyers for admission to the Bar. The SILE headed by Professor Walter Woon will also be tasked to draw up programmes for compulsory continuing education to keep lawyers updated with current practices.

Law trainees to get feet wet sooner

PRACTICE trainees undergoing pupilage in law firms may be exposed to a wider range of legal work sooner. At the moment, law graduates appear only before a judge in chambers or in court for simple tasks such as applying for bail or mentioning a case - and they start doing this only after four months of a half-year-long attachment to a law firm. But this is set to change if the proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act is accepted by Parliament. Under the proposed changes, the time before trainees appear in court and chambers will be whittled down to three months. Besides the shorter time frame, they will also be allowed to appear in court for all types of hearings, including represent clients in open court, just three months into their training. Mr Andy Lem, a partner in law firm Harry Elias Partnership, expects more trainees to get on board the programme, should the proposed changes be passed. To be able to appear in court and chambers, trainees must first make an application with support from their supervising solicitor. If they do not make the application, they will be allowed to appear in court only after completing six months of training.

No to lowering minimum age requirement for maids

THE Government has no intention of of changing the minimum age requirement for maids, despite recent calls from employment agencies to reduce it from 23 years to 21. Responding to questions posed by Jurong GRC and labour MP Halimah Yacob in Parliament yesterday (Jan 10), Senior Minister of State of Trade and Industry and Manpower Lee Yi Shyan said doing so will not address the problems faced by young foreign domestic workers. In fact, he said it 'may even lead to a perverse outcome of making it easier for even younger girls to circumvent the minimum age requirement.' The issue was put in the spotlight following the case of Indonesian maid Nurhayati, who was charged with murdering her employer's disabled 12-year-old daughter last November (2010). It was discovered in court last month (December) that the maid was actually aged 16, and not 24 as stated in her travel document. In 2005, the minimum age limit for maids was raised from 18 to 23 years on the basis that older maids are generally more responsible, better able to take care of themselves and adapt to the working environment here.

MOE to tighten teacher and scholarship selection

THE Ministry of Education (MOE) will look into tightening the processes used to select teachers and scholarship candidates, as well as better monitor their scholars while they are studying overseas.
Education Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen said in Parliament on Monday that besides tightening processes, MOE would also specifically ask the schools of potential scholars to provide more information. Dr Ng was answering questions from MPs on the selection process after MOE scholar Jonathan Wong was arrested last year (2010) for possessing child pornography on his computer. He was studying in Britain at that time. He said applicants for both teaching positions and scholarships are required to undergo an interview process where they are assessed by a panel on their overall abilities, aptitude, character, and passion to teach. On top of that, scholarship candidates selected to study overseas undergo an additional interview conducted by trained psychologists to assess qualities such as leadership style, character, values, and the ability to adjust to overseas living. Dr Ng assured the House that panel members are experienced enough to 'interpret the nuances and identify information gaps', and that any concerns, such as that of the candidate's integrity, would be discussed before reaching a decision.

PUB to fight floods with CCTV

NATIONAL water agency PUB is turning to security cameras as it extends its network of monitors in the flood-prone area of Bukit Timah. It plans to install five closed-circuit televisio (CCTV) cameras along the Bukit Timah Canal and one at the Jalan Haji Alias outlet drain near Coronation Road West. A PUB spokesman said this trial study to monitor real-time conditions in places such as outlet drains and low-lying areas aims to 'allow PUB to respond even faster' to areas prone to flash floods during intense storms. She added that the CCTV cameras will complement PUB's current flood management initiatives such as water level sensors installed in key canals and drains. To date, PUB has installed 90 such sensors, including at points in the Bukit Timah Canal near Blackmore Drive and Prince of Wales Road. PUB's call for tender, which closes today, indicates that it is looking at a system that will allow images captured by the solar-powered CCTV cameras to be accessed via mobile broadband services on devices such as laptops and iPads.

St Nicholas has top O-level student, 3rd-year running

CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (SNGS) has produced the top O-level student three years in a row. SNGS student Chia Pei Yun topped the nation with a score of 10 A1s. Her seniors also managed the same feat in previous years: Lai Kai Rou scored Haw Sue Hern both scored 10 A1s in 2010 and 2009 respectively. The release of the O-level results on Monday saw little change in the overall performance of students islandwide. Nearly all - 99.8 per cent - of the 37,655 students who took the exams last year scored at least one O-level pass. Of these, the vast majority - 35,753, or 94.9 per cent - had three or more O-level passes.

Jailed for submitting fake payslips to bank

A BANK officer suspected that a payslip submitted by a credit card applicant was not the real McCoy and checked with the employer. True enough, the salary had been inflated to meet the $60,000 annual income requirement set by Standard Chartered Bank (SCB). Investigations revealed that a whole team at telemarketing firm Touch & Tech was behind it, and on Monday, a direct sales agent and an applicant pleaded guilty to conspiring to using the false payslips and fake employment letters. Both are Filipinos. Charon Legaspi Dimpas, 26, was jailed three years and nine months while Maria Theresa Arena Garcia, 39, was jailed six months. A district court heard that Dimpas had submitted fake documents for 96 applicants and earned $8,474 in commission from June to November 2009. SCB had engaged Touch & Tech to market its credit cards. From its office in Middle Road, Dimpas would make cold calls to prospective applicants but many did not meet the bank's criteria. Besides the inflated payslips, Dimpas also submitted false letters for extension of employment because applicants needed a minimum of one-year validity remaining on the employment passes. In Garcia's case, she was an administrative operations executive with an employment agency in 2009, earning $2,600 a month. On the fake payslip, this was inflated to $5,180. Like the others, she also used the fake documents to apply for a loan and the court heard that SCB had lent nearly $760,000 to the 96 applicants.

Cost of living to soar further: Shanmugaratnam

THE rising cost of living, driven partly by higher food prices, is expected to soar further in the first three months of this year before moderating, Finance Minister Tharaman Shanmugaratnam cautioned in Parliament today. But some relief for Singaporeans hurt by the quickening inflation is in store: the upcoming Budget next month will contain measures to help shield them from its impact, he promised. 'The Government will take into account the impact of inflation and the needs of low-income and retiree households when considering further transfers,' said Mr Shanmugaratnam. The minister also hinted that existing assistance schemes such as the ComCare Fund - now holding $800 million - may be enhanced to provide more buffer for the needy. 'Apart from the Budget... we've got ComCare and other schemes which will allow residents who are truly in need to get assistance,'he added. Inflation in Singapore hit 3.8 per cent in November from a year ago, the largest jump since January 2009.

Lorry driver gets fine and driving ban

A LORRY driver was fined $6,000 and banned from driving for four years on Monday for negligently causing the death of an elderly pedestrian. Tan Eng Huat, 51, was driving out of the carpark at Block 90 Whampoa Drive and making a right turn when his vehicle hit Madam Ho Ah Nui, 68, at about 9.10pm on Feb 8 last year. Madam Ho was seriously injured and died of head injury the following morning. His lawyer said in mitigation that Tan had attended to the woman after the accident and attended her wake and cremation. District Judge Low Wee Ping said he was impressed by the fact that Tan acted with significant remorse. Tan could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for causing death by doing a negligent act.

S'pore Govt bonds for trading on SGX by mid-2011

RETAIL investors will have a safe alternative to bank deposits come middle of 2011, when Singapore Government bonds will be made available for trading on the Singapore Exchange. Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam revealed this in parliament on Monday, noting that Singapore's capital market will continue to develop, offering more investment alternatives. He said, "These include instruments that offer better returns than savings deposits - but without overly high risk." He added that well-rated corporate bonds are also becoming more widely available as more high quality-corporate borrowers are turning to the bond market to meet their financial needs. With some of these bonds targeted at retail investors, such bond issuance can be expected to be a growing trend in coming years.

Nearly 2 in 3 Singaporeans shop online

SIXTY-FOUR per cent, or nearly two-thirds, of respondents, in a MasterCard survey said they now shop online, up by 10 per cent from last year. Singaporean women continued to out-shop their male counterparts with 68 per cent of female respondents shopping online, compared to only 60 per cent of males. Female online shoppers also purchased an average of five items online in the last three months, more than the male shoppers' average of 4.2 items. The types of online purchases have not changed from past years. Airline tickets continue to be the most popular items, followed by hotel accommodations, movie/concert tickets, women's apparel and accessories and books and art. These online purchases are usually planned in advance, with nearly 80 per cent of those surveyed doing research beforehand. On the other hand, the most common items that triggered impulse shopping online are women's apparel or accessories and airline tickets. Singaporeans cited convenient payment methods, secure payment facilities, and price and value of the items being purchased as the top three influencing factors in their online shopping experience. Respondents were also surveyed on their online shopping habits through mobile phones for the first time. Only 12 per cent of respondents in Singapore made purchases on their mobile phones in the last three months.

HDB clarifies rule on siblings

HOMEBUYERS who are siblings and unmarried - whether citizens or permanent residents (PRs) - can apply to buy HDB resale flats if their parents live overseas and do not already own a public flat. They do not have to be above the age of 35, and their applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

125 estate agents' application forms missing

THE Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) on Sunday said it has misplaced 125 application forms due to an administrative oversight. It is working with these estate agents to get them registered as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the agents have been issued provisional registrations and are allowed to practise. The CEA also said that 'as a gesture of goodwill', 813 of 1,736 property agents whose applications are pending approval can act provisionally till the end of this month. These agents either submitted their application forms after the Nov 30, 2010 deadline, or did not have their forms in order. Another 923 agents' applications are pending approval, but this group will not get the grace period. These are people who either did not declare criminal convictions or who gave inaccurate information on their bankruptcy status. They can re-apply or appeal to be registered. The government agency acknowledged problems such as missing forms and registration delays, and apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Quick News: Sunday, January 09, 2011

2011-01-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

2 weeks' leave + 11 PHs = 43 days off

Rest assured, your two weeks' annual leave and 11 public holidays can together yield up to 43 days off this year. This, despite 2011 seeing just five long weekends, down from seven last year.

Three mature HDB towns to get $1b facelift

The Government will spend $1 billion over the next five years to rejuvenate and upgrade three HDB towns in Hougang, East Coast and Jurong Lake. These three mature estates are set to be transformed under the second phase of Remaking Our Heartland (ROH), an initiative first announced in 2007 by the Prime Minister.

Pre-enlistment jitters? This course claims to help

National service made easier: A sales pitch made by a former military psychologist to 18-year-olds who may have pre-enlistment jitters. Mr Stanley Chua, a former major in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has devised a course to prep them for the two-year mandatory stint for male citizens.

These SMSes are not meant for me!

For a few days last month, 18 mobile phone numbers in Singapore were each 'shared' by two different subscribers - creating confusion and concern. It started when 18 people signed up for new lines with StarHub, Singapore's No. 2 mobile network operator. But when the numbers were activated, they could not get incoming calls and text messages though they could make calls and send SMSes.

'I didn't try to entrap Gary Ng for fame'

She went public last week on her dramatic attempt to ensnare 'Gary Ng', the 28-year-old who gained notoriety for his homemade sex videos with numerous women. But lawyer Yeo Poh Tiang insists her entrapment attempt was not for fame, even though she admits that the media attention she sought could bring her more clients.

Kids get early start in water survival skills

PRIMARY schools here will begin the new year by taking part in a water safety programme emphasising survival skills, which replaces an earlier course focusing on swimming techniques, National Water Safety Council chairman Teo Ho Pin said on Sunday. Launched last July, the new SwimSafer programme is aimed at imparting skills to help trainees save themselves and others during dangerous situations in water. It replaces the 2007 Learn-to-Swim (LTS) programme which just highlighted the different swimming strokes. While about 90 per cent of primary schools took part in LTS, now all but four of the 180 primary schools nationwide have come on board to SwimSafer. The four schools have not signed up because they are still working out the scheduling. 'But we are confident everyone will come on board eventually,' added Dr Teo.
The schools are free to design their own curriculum for participation in SwimSafer, such as making it an enrichment programme or getting whole cohorts to attend lessons. Like LTS, schools are encouraged to take part in SwimSafer but it is not mandatory.

Jalan Besar GRC to get $460m upgrading

JALAN Besar GRC is set to benefit from $460 million worth of projects which will make the five-member group representation constituency a better home for residents. Themed 'My Home in the City', the five-year masterplan was unveiled to residents at an exhibition beside the Boon Keng MRT Station on Sunday. Residents can look forward to the upgrading of facilities, more greenery, and increased links and focal points within the estate that will strengthen both the town's identity and bonds among residents. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim, an MP for Jalan Besar GRC, said at the launch: 'It's about having a home in the city. We will link up the various heritage points, and we are blessed with the Downtown Line that will cut across the entire GRC. Therefore we will build our plans around those elements.' Eleven stations on the Downtown Line are located within the constituency. They are slated for completion in three stages by 2016. Jalan Besar GRC is also set to get six projects under the nationwide Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters programme, which integrates waterways with the living environment. These include floating decks, waterwheels and a floating bazaar, which will allow residents to reconnect with waterways in the GRC such as Sungei Whampoa, the Kallang River and the Rochor Canal.

Hub points elderly, disabled towards help

DESPITE the many schemes set up to help them, some elderly and disabled people struggle to navigate the complex social and health-care system on their own. As a result, they may be admitted to hospitals or care homes unnecessarily. A new social service hub launched in Chong Pang on Sunday aims to solve this problem by giving them a point of contact, so they know where to turn if they need help. Staff at the centre - set up by the Chong Pang Citizens' Consultative Committee and Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society - try to work out what kind of help they need, then link them with appropriate health and social services. Work started there two months ago, and the centre is now dealing with 11 cases. Mr Lee Kim Siang, chairman of Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, recalled a case in which three siblings with a mental disability cared for their elderly mother. The centre looked into the needs of the mother and referred the siblings for vocational training and employment.

InfinityInc - Quick News

2011-01-09T07:48:00.001-08:00

Quick News - Summery of all news of what's going around in Singapore and the surrounding countries. Don't miss this News.

in reference to: Blogger: Quick News - Edit Post "Quick News: Sunday, January 09, 2011" (view on Google Sidewiki)

Quick News: Saturday, January 08, 2011

2011-01-08T04:12:00.000-08:00

Tweeting teen now boasts about illegal driving

A READER of popular citizen journalism portal Stomp named followerontwitter has expressed anger at another tweet by the teenager who caused an uproar when he tweeted a photograph of his exam papers in November 2010. Sixteen-year-old Xavier Ong tweeted recently that he was 'driving the company car home tonight'. Stomp reader follower on twitter elaborated that he was on Twitter when Xavier had boasted about driving a car back home. Xavier claimed that his mother even told him: 'Next time...want car...just ask for key.' It has also been alleged that it is not the first time that Xavier has driven a car. The Stomp reader said: 'I want to question the authorities and the company why he (Xavier) is allowed to drive a car without a licence. 'What if he got into an accident or worse still, got someone killed? Who is going to answer for it - the company or the authorities?' said followerontwitter. Xavier himself has replied to followerontwitter comments by denying his boasting posts. He defended himself saying: 'It is totally untrue that I drove. I was next to a friend and he was the one driving.' Xavier then added he was 'fooling around as usual' with 'nothing better to do' and does not 'even dare sit in the driver's seat'.

Shanghai overtakes S'pore as world's busiest port

SHANGHAI said it overtook Singapore for the first time in 2010 to become the world's busiest container port, as the global economic recovery boosted cargo traffic through China's business centre. Shanghai's port handled 29.05 million 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUs more than Singapore, the Shanghai government said in a statement. Officials credited the economic recovery and Shanghai's six-month long World Expo with boosting the container and cargo traffic travelling through the port, the statement said. Shanghai's cargo throughput rose to about 650 million tonnes in 2010, remaining the world's largest, up from 590 million tonnes in 2009, the statement said. Shanghai will continue, and possibly expand, an export-tax refund pilot project and press on with expanding infrastructure, the statement said. The city has charged ahead through the financial crisis with work to more than double its port capacity. China's cabinet has declared it wants Shanghai to move up the value chain and become a full-service world-class shipping centre by 2020, with shipping financing, reinsurance and arbitration services.

Jail, caning for car-burning loan shark runner

A MAN could not repay $3,000 owed to a loan shark and was afraid that the latter would harass his father. Low Chick Kim, 30, then decided to work for the illegal moneylender and harass other debtors. District Judge Jasbendar Kaur noted that his was 'one of the worst cases of harassment' to come before the courts. She said: 'You went on to inflict the same torture on others that you did not want to endure.' Low was on Friday sentenced to five years' jail and 24 strokes of the cane. He had committed 21 offences between Aug 4 and Oct 21 last year in various places from Ang Mo Kio to Pasir Ris.

Jump in hospital bills over past four years

THE average bill for a subsidised C-class patient in a public hospital has gone up by between a third on the low end and almost double on the high end, in the four years since 2006. The Ministry of Health (MOH) puts this down to multiple factors - including a greater number of more ill and older patients, and patients asking for non-subsidised drugs and implants.

Landed home crunch set to worsen

LANDED homes are a rare commodity, and the crunch is expected to get worse in the coming years, going by the limited stock available. In the past 10 years, the number of landed homes has gone up by just 6 per cent, while the number of apartments has risen by 47 per cent. Out of a total of 256,513 private homes, 69,701 were landed, as of the third quarter of last year, data compiled by Credo Real Estate showed. The shortage is likely to mean that developers would look towards intensifying their land use, possibly offering more strata-titled landed homes instead. These homes, also known as cluster homes, combine the posh appeal of conventional landed homes with shared condo-style facilities like pools and security. But they come with strata titles, so owners cannot renovate or rebuild their homes like in conventional landed homes.

MPs to raise low-wage workers issue

THE widening income gap and the challenges that low-wage Singaporeans face will take centre stage when Parliament sits next week. At least nine MPs will speak on these issues during a debate on inclusive growth, proposed by labour MPs Josephine Teo and Zainudin Nordin, both of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Mrs Teo said her primary interest is whether low-wage workers have benefited from Singapore's sparkling growth, which hit 14.7 per cent last year. She hopes the debate will lead to greater clarity on how the Government can promote inclusive growth and a consensus among MPs on this issue. Among the MPs who will join in the debate is Ms Irene Ng of Tampines GRC. She will call for a larger portion of the Workfare Income Supplement to be paid out in cash. 'The cash portion is too small to make an impact on the low-wage worker's standard of living and ability to cope with the rising cost of living, especially if he has children to support,' she said.

Aljunied GRC to get more 'connected'

RESIDENTS in Aljunied GRC can look forward to a seamless network of park and estate connectors next year linking them to MRT stations and amenities across the constituency. The One Link@Aljunied will improve accessibility to three new MRT stations on the eastern Downtown Line - Kaki Bukit, Bedok Town Park and Bedok Reservoir - which will be open by 2017. The $3 million One Link project, expected to be completed in the last quarter of next year, will also offer residents easy access to malls and community spaces. Part of the connectors will incorporate a cycling track, the Aljunied Town Council disclosed yesterday at a media preview of its next five-year plan for the GRC. Connections of another sort are also on the cards: Internet-savvy residents used to high-speed surfing at home will be able to enjoy doing so outdoors too. The six community clubs in the constituency, as well as some fast-food outlets, restaurants and sports facilities, have already been fitted to become wireless 'hot spots'. But the GRC is looking to add markets and hawker centres to the list. The masterplan will be unveiled to residents on Saturday at an exhibition at the open space next to the Hougang MRT station.

Alleged rape victim 'too drunk to defend herself'

A YOUNG woman who was allegedly raped by a man she met at Zouk two years ago, was so drunk that she was incapable of giving her consent or fighting back against her assailant. Senior consultant forensic pathologist Wee Keng Poh gave his opinion when he testified on Day 5 of Ong Mingwee's trial. Dr Wee said the woman's blood alcohol level at the time of the alleged rape could be 255mg ethanol per 100ml of blood - above the toxic level but below the 350mg/100ml lethal level. Dr Wee, the last witness for the prosecution, said in the case of the alleged victim, the alcohol she had taken would have reduced her ability to protect herself and impaired her judgment, perception of others and ability to resist both physically and verbally. District Judge Hamidah Ibrahim called upon Ong, 28, to enter his defence. After conferring briefly with his lawyer Goh Siok Leng, he said he would give evidence in the witness stand. He will do so when the hearing continues on Feb 14. Ong, who runs a provision shop in Toa Payoh North, is alleged to have raped the then 22-year-old woman at a unit above the shop in the early hours of Feb 12, 2009.

Taxi ends up on Parklane pavement

A TAXI ploughed through bushes and hit a bicycle and a man before ending up on the walkway outside Parklane Shopping Mall just after 10am on Friday. The man, a cleaner from Purechem Veolia, was picking rubbish from the bushes when the incident happened. He escaped with minimal injuries. The taxi driver, Tan Geok Lin, in his 50s, was sent conscious to hospital. 'It happened very fast. I flew and was on the pavement. I was so panicky,' said Mr Ripin Sulong, a Malaysian. The 44-year-old said that he was lucky that he landed on his side. He said that his left arm, wrist and foot were hurting when The Straits Times spoke to him at the scene. A manager from the environmental company said that they would send him to a company doctor for a thorough check-up. He added that he had been told that the taxi driver had been low on glucose, and had lost control of his vehicle. Investigations are ongoing.

Quick News: Friday, January 07, 2011

2011-01-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

Changes made to polling districts

THE Elections Department on Friday announced that changes have been made to polling districts, four days after it released news of a new round to update the electoral registers. The changes to polling districts are to ensure that no polling station handles too many or too few voters. They were set out in a 109-page notification on the electronic version of the Government Gazette. The last round of polling district changes were announced in February last year. Such changes routinely take place when voter registers are updated. The law requires voter registers to be revised within three years of the last general election, which was in May 2006. As some voters would have changed addresses since then, the Elections Department looks at their registered addresses as of a specified date and reassigns these voters to the appropriate polling districts.

Muis plans to raise $2m for Punggol's 1st mosque

THE Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has announced plans to raise funds for the nation's newest and most expensive mosque. To cost $15 million, the Punggol mosque will sit at the junction of Punggol Place and Punggol Field, near the area's MRT station, and be up by 2014. Construction will likely start in 2012. The high cost was to rising construction and land costs, Muis said at a press briefing on Thursday. The site, about the size of 10 tennis courts, will serve a congregation of 4,000 worshippers. It will be the first mosque in the Punggol area. A committee comprising 15 residents of Punggol and Sengkang were appointed in December 2010 to oversee the mosque's fundraising activities. Construction costs are funded separately by the Mosque Building & Mendaki Fund.

Singapore gets top marks in global law survey

SINGAPORE was rated No.1 in the civil justice systems in the Rule of Law Index 2010 of the World Justice Project. It is a project to rank the quality of legal systems in the context of the rule of law. The accolade drew the notice of Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong who raised the point in his address at the official opening of the Legal Year ceremony, to underline the star quality of the legal system here. Law Minister K. Shanmugam weighed in on the issue explaining how this had been achieved and said the system here protects the independence of the judiciary, and extremely high-quality judges are appointed from the legal service as well as from the profession. Asked about some people still mocking the justice system, he said the 'more they mock, the better we do, so let them keep mocking, we will become better and better as a financial centre, as a city state and as a legal services centre.' Separately , Singapore's fight against financial crimes has been beefed up and taken to the next level. Attorney-General Sundaresh Menon in his speech, said a new Economic Crimes and Governance Division has been created, in addition to the current Criminal Justice Division and the State Prosecution Division. ' Its officers will focus on and specialise in the prosecution of even the most sophisticated financial crimes, and regulatory offences.' More than 500 guests and members of the legal fraternity were present including Senior Minister S. Jayakumar, High Court judges and law officials from Hong Kong, Malaysia and Brunei.

Accused in SLA scam should be jailed for a long time

EX-SWIMMING instructor Ho Yen Teck who is the first accused in the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) $12 million scam to admit to his crimes should be jailed for a long time, said a prosecutor on Friday. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jean Chan said the 31-year-old played a significant role and was a persistent offender working hand-in-glove with his co-conspirators. The court heard that SLA was induced to award a total of 195 contracts to Ho's seven sole proprietorships which received $9.8 million between January 2008 and March 2010. Ho had admitted to 21 charges of conspiring with Koh Seah Wee and Lim Chai Meng to cheat the SLA by rendering false invoices for fictitious IT maintenance services and goods which were not delivered. Both Koh, 40, and Lim, 37, were then working in SLA. Their cases are pending. Another 174 counts will be taken into consideration when Ho is sentenced next week. Arguing for a stiff sentence, DPP Chan said the offences were committed against a public institution over a substantial period of time, resulting in the loss of an astronomically large sum of public funds. Ho, DPP Chan said, played a pivotal role in the conspiracy. She said the offences seriously undermined the integrity of the public procurement process. Pleading for leniency, his lawyer Jackson Eng said Ho was no more than a puppet in the entire exercise. Of the $9.8 million received from SLA, Ho only received about $200,000. He had voluntarily surrendered $53,799 to the police and was offering to make another $3,800. Counsel said the offences were borne out of Ho's personal difficulties. Ho can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined on each charge.

Both Lions and management to blame: ST Readers

THE blame for a disappointing national football side should fall on both the players and management. This was the general sentiment among readers of The Straits Times, after the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that the Lions would be disbanded following disappointing performances last year. Other than turning in poor performances, like their failure to qualify for the final round of the Asian Cup last February and last month's Suzuki Cup disaster, the Lions were plagued by disciplinary problems such as smoking and curfew-breaking. The news resonated with readers, drawing more than 200 'likes' on The Straits Times webpage in a matter of hours. Many said that the disbanding was long overdue. 'It's due time that the team should have been disbanded. This time, make sure to train them in full discipline. Kudos to FAS president for taking this step... albeit finally,' Sonny Pereira wrote on The Straits Times' Facebook page. Bert Thongchai praised the decision as well. 'We need Maradonas, not Prima Donas.. Rule with iron fist please, (and show) no more sentiment. Show the players you mean business.' However, a more prevalent opinion was that the management should share the blame for the Lions' poor showing. Wrote SivaG on Twitter: 'Players are to blame too, of course. But why make them scapegoats? Officials must be brave enough to take responsibility - none have so far.' Clarice Felix agreed, lamenting: 'To produce good players you need to have good management. Maybe it's time to get some new good players and revamp the management too but it's hard these days. Gone are the days of the Gelek King and the Kallang Roar.' However, some thought the decision wasn't addressing the true root of the problem and was just a 'knee-jerk reaction', as Matthew Lim put it. He explained, "When we had discipline problems and under-performed these past couple of seasons, nothing was done. Should something have been done earlier to prevent the rot from settling in?' Agreeing, Kelvin Chan chimed in: 'I think enough has been discussed and debated over our National Team. So many years of feedback, opinions, public opinion, public support, Sponsors support... all down the drain. They can do whatever they want right now...who cares.' Some suggested looking north, to Malaysia, for ideas on revamping the team. Wrote Joe Danker Monreal, 'I think if Malaysia can do it with all locals, why not us? If Malaysia can, so can we.' Syamil Mirza agreed, adding that 'FAS should consider having an all-local squad, from the coaches to the players, just like the Malaysia team and we see how it goes from there. At least if the team still doesn't live up to expectations, we can still be proud of them because they're all born Singaporeans.'

Ex-Yuhua CC officer jailed for pocketing $50,700

BETWEEN 2008 and October 2010, a constituency support officer of the Yuhua community club diverted $50,700 he collected as fees from participants attending courses, into his own pocket. On Friday, Koh Wee Ngiap, 36, pleaded guilty and was jailed four months by a district court. The offences came to light when a deputy manager checked the accounts and realised that a large amount of funds was missing. Koh, now jobless, could have been jailed up to seven years for misappropriating the money.

Alleged rape victim's alcohol level 3 times legal limit

THE blood-alcohol level found in a young woman at the time of an alleged rape by Ong Mingwee was more than three times the legal limit for drink driving. The 255mg ethanol per 100 ml of blood was above the toxic level but below the lethal level of 350mg, said a forensic pathologist. Senior consultant forensic pathologist Wee Keng Poh testified on Friday at Ong Mingwee's rape trial that the level found on the then-22-year-old woman would physically or mentally incapacitate her. She would also not be capable of giving consent. Dr Wee said the alcohol she had taken would reduce her ability to protect herself, impair her judgment, her perception of others, as well as her ability to resist both physically and verbally.
Ong, 28, is said to have raped the woman at a flat above his family-run minimart at Toa Payoh North in the early hours on Feb 12, 2009. After calling 14 prosecution witnesses, the prosecution closed its case. District Judge Hamidah Ibrahim called on his defence. Ong, who elected to give evidence, will take the stand when hearing continues on Feb 14. The maximum penalty for rape is 20 years' jail and fine or caning.

Five face 32 more fake casino chips charges

FIVE Indian nationals accused of using fake casino chips at Marina Bay Sands were accused of 32 more similar charges on Friday. Asfaq Usman, 25, Maqsud Ibrahim, 28, Vishal Sopan Gurav, 26, Soheel Ahmad Jamil Ahmad, 33, Kunal Balan Shettiyar, 24, are alleged to have conspired with Ijaz Ahmed and others unknown in December, to use as genuine, counterfeit chips. Ijaz, who is believed to be in Mumbai, has not been charged. Except for Soheel, the rest are said to have presented one to two pieces of fake chips with a face value of $1,000, to exchange genuine chips in smaller denominations with croupiers at MBS casino on Dec 29. A police prosecutor told the court that the five are believed to be working for a syndicate dealing with counterfeit casino chips. The court heard that only $17,000 had been recovered from the $47,000 involved. Asfaq's lawyer is Mr Subhas Anandan while Mr S.K. Kumar is acting for the rest. Bail of $60,000 was offered to each. A pre-trial conference is set for Feb 11. If convicted, each faces a fine of up to $150,000 or a jail term of up to seven years or both.

Lorry hit 140kmh trying to beat cops

A LORRY ran a police roadblock, beat a red light and blazed down Jurong Town Hall Road at 140kmh trying to outrun a pursuing police car early on July 6 last year. The driver, Bagavath Singh Jayakkumar, 31, was eventually cornered after the 3km high-speed chase. At the police station later, the Indian national refused to breathe properly into a breathalyser. On Thursday, he was jailed a month for dangerous driving and fined $2,500 for failing to provide a specimen of his breath for the breathalyser test. The court heard that police conducting checks at a roadblock along Jurong Town Hall Road at 1.20am that day had signalled him to stop. But he simply drove through, eventually reaching a speed that was twice the 70kmh allowed on that road, even as a patrol car, siren blaring, stayed on his tail. Jayakkumar was forced to stop at the junction of Boon Lay Way and Jurong East Street 31, as there was no way through the vehicles that were waiting at the red light. Smelling strongly of alcohol and failing the breathalyser test conducted by an officer, he was arrested and escorted to Clementi Police Division for another attempt to measure the alcohol level in his breath.

COE prices fall: Time to buy a 1.6-litre car?

STEP on it if you are thinking of buying a 1.6-litre or smaller car. The certificate of entitlement (COE) premium for this vehicle category dipped by $7,240 to $38,889 on Wednesday, but dealers expect the price to go up in the next few months of bidding. The road bump ahead for consumers is an expected cut in the vehicle quota this year to possibly the lowest on record.
COEs, which give one the right to buy a car here, are central to Singapore's Vehicle Quota System, which enables the Government to control the growth of the car population and road congestion. Anyone seeking to buy a car has to bid for a COE in that category of vehicle, determined by engine size. On Wednesday, the premium for cars up to 1,600cc and taxis fell by 15.7 per cent - the highest of all vehicle categories - compared with the last round of bidding two weeks ago. The $38,889 figure is also $8,715 less than the unprecedented high of $47,604 a month ago, sparked by dealers reportedly scrambling to fulfil sales targets.

Quick News: Thursday, January 06, 2011

2011-01-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

Singaporeans love taking wedding photos overseas

THERE'S been a 60-70 per cent increase in the number of couples who opt for an overseas wedding photography package, according to bridal boutiques at the Wedding and Travel Fair held over the new year weekend at Suntec City. More than 700 couples turned up for the fair where 15 local and overseas bridal boutiques offered their latest overseas wedding photography packages. Financial planners Alvin Ng and Thong Wei Ting booked a wedding photography package for Taiwan because they believe its natural scenery cannot be found in Singapore. Plus, they can take the opportunity to travel. Creative director of local boutique Signoria Nuziale, M.S. Cheah said that while many Singaporeans are interested in an overseas shoot, some might balk at the cost. A check with three bridal boutiques showed that an overseas wedding photo shoot package can cost anywhere upwards of $2,000 for popular Indonesian city Bali, for example. A package to Europe, on the other hand, can cost up to a staggering $20,000.

Stars to attend World Volunteer Conference

JET Li and Michelle Yeoh will be in town in late January to attend a world conference on volunteerism Singapore is hosting for the first time.
Scheduled to run from Jan 24 to 27, the International Association of Volunteer Effort (IAVE) World Volunteer Conference will be held at Resorts World Sentosa. The conference will draw more than 150 speakers from over 50 countries, including China, France and the US. Over more than 70 sessions, participants will discuss global trends in volunteerism and operational issues in organising volunteer programmes. Jet Li, the founder of the Jet Li One Foundation Project, and Michelle Yeoh, the global ambassador for the Make Roads Safe campaign, will be flying in for the event. The conference comes at a time when volunteering and philanthropy are gaining prominence in Singapore, with the national volunteerism rate at an all-time high of 23.3 per cent. 'While we are delighted that more people are volunteering and serving the community, we still have a long way to go in terms of volunteer management,' said Mr Laurence Lien, Chief Executive Officer of the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, which is co-organising the conference with IAVE.

Thaipusam set to turn down volume

THIS year's Thaipusam celebrations will be a quieter affair if guidelines made public for the first time on Thursday by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) are enforced. Those participating in the procession on Jan 19 and 20 are barred from playing recorded music or sounding gongs or drums. Traditionally, the music - often played at a deafening volume - is seen as encouragement for those who pierce their bodies as an act of faith. Now, only the singing of hymns will be permitted. Other rules include no shouting, and no paint or makeup to be used on either the devotees' faces or bodies. Those who flout the rules may be barred from future processions - or face a fine of up to $5,000 under the Public Order Act. And for the first time, spike or chariot kavadi bearers are required to nominate a representative who will be responsible for their conduct. The HEB said the rules mirrored guidelines set by the police for permits to hold Thaipusam celebrations. But they were put together for the first time this year for the public to address long-standing issues of crowd and noise control, officials from the two temples organising the procession said.

Cabby took upskirt clips of passengers

SHE had seen a similar device on http://www.alibaba.com/, the Chinese e-commerce website, and suspected it was a camera pen. So when the cabby placed it on the arm rest, pointing at her legs, the 21-year-old undergraduate knew Albert Lim Meng Hie was up to no good. On Thursday, the 54-year-old man pleaded guilty to insulting her modesty and that of two other women in April and June 2009 by filming their undergarments. He will be sentenced next Friday. Two more charges of filming two other victims will be taken into consideration by the judge. The court heard that the undergraduate did not confront Lim during the journey in his taxi on the morning of June 30, 2009. Instead, she secretly took pictures of the camera pen with her phone's camera and showed them to police officers, who later that day found the device in Lim's apartment in a Pasir Ris condominium.

Restaurants' ban on kids: ST readers offer alternatives

COMMENTS and suggestions flew in from readers of The Straits Times when we asked if banning children from casual eateries is justifiable. The Straits Times had reported on Thursday that some casual eateries are adopting the ban on kids practised by upscale restaurants, in order to avoid the type of rowdy behaviour that disturbs other guests. Readers on straitstimes.com, Facebook and Twitter were polarised in their views, with supporters casting it as a business decision and detractors offering what they saw as viable alternative solutions. Andy Pollard wrote: 'To me it seems extreme. A proactive policy of removing hooligans when they start to cause problems may prove more effective and less isolationist (than an outright ban).' Cindy Low, who felt that restaurants could set aside special areas for families, wrote: 'These restaurants can always have children corners.' Khunying wrote: 'How about upon entering a restaurant, a staff member can remind them to ensure their kids are quiet - which is more palatable than a stern 'No Kids Allowed'. Khunying felt that it is the parents, not restaurants, who need a lesson - in managing their children in public. 'Most parents only start to shout at their kids when they are already misbehaving - which is too late,' wrote Khunying. Mkan39 wrote: 'It is the parents' responsibility to ensure that their children behave and not cause a nuisance in public places like restaurants. 'Unfortunately many parents simply 'ignore' their children when they are in restaurants and let their kids run wild. Don't blame the restaurant for arriving at this decision.' What constitutes a 'child' and where to draw the line was another concern some readers expressed. Sidhanth Melvani wrote: 'I'm 15. Am I considered a child?' Others felt that while it was the call of the eateries, they should be prepared for the consequences. Explaining another impact that the ban may have on business, Smiling-Guy wrote: 'People dining with children finish their food quickly and leave, rather than loiter around and 'chope-ing' (reserving) seats.'

Graft probe 'won't delay Motorsports Hub project'

ONE of the leading figures behind the construction of the Changi Motorsports Hub insists the timescale for the project will not be affected and that it will be completed by the end of the year. This, despite news that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) is probing those involved in the tender process, the latest blow to the $380 million project which has faced delays and other troubles since it was first announced in 2007.

Quick News: Wednesday, January 05, 2011

2011-01-05T05:50:00.000-08:00

M'sian hubby fined for lying to ROM he was single

A MALAYSIAN and permanent resident here was on Wednesday fined the maximum $3,000 for lying to a Commissioner of Oaths that he was single when he married a Singaporean in 1998. The marriage went through but the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) discovered the bigamy in May 2010 when businessman Tan Hock Lum, 50, applied for a student's pass for his son from an earlier marriage. He also submitted his Malaysian marriage certificate to Madam Khoo Gun Hoo as a supporting document, and checks by ICA indicated that this marriage is still valid. Tan pleaded guilty in a district court on Wednesday to making a false declaration. The Malaysian came here in 1985, obtaining his PR a year later. In 1987, he married Madam Khoo Gun Hoo in Kluang in Johor while continuing his business here. The couple went on to have three children but living apart from his family resulted in Tan befriending and growing close to a Singaporean woman in 1990. Eight years later in 1998, they decided to marry and Tan declared he was single and not married to any other person before Commissioner of Oaths Ms V. Suppiah at the Registry of Marriages (ROM).

Marginal fall in prices for big car COE

COE (Certificate of Entitlement) prices for big cars have eased slightly after recording 13-year highs in last December's final round of bidding. The COE premium for cars above 1,600cc ended at $69,000, a drop of $3,001 or 4.2 per cent. For Open COEs, which can be used for any vehicle type but which end up being used mainly for bigger cars, the premium registered a slight 0.4 per cent drop to $75,789 from $76,102. COE premiums for cars of up to 1,600cc have registered the largest drop among all categories in the first bidding exercise for 2011 ending at $38,889 - a dip of $7,240 or 15.7 per cent. Motorcycle premiums have landed at $1,503, from $1,551. But the only category to register a rise is commercial vehicle COE premiums which ended at $35,111, from $33,501.

Merlion sculpture to close for cleaning from Jan 11-18

THE iconic Merlion that sits at Merlion Park will be closed for routine cleaning from Jan 11 to 18. During the cleaning, the Merlion will be hoarded up for safety considerations. The Singapore Tourism Board said that the works and barricades may cause some inconvenience during this period and that they seek the public's understanding. The Merlion was first built as an eight-metre tall sculpture in 1972 and located at the mouth of the Singapore River to 'welcome all visitors to Singapore'. It was subsequently moved in 2002 to its current location at Merlion Park next to One Fullerton, and now overlooks Marina Bay.

Cabbies get new Drive & Save scheme for Medisave

TAXI companies have pledged to build up the Medisave accounts of their cabbies under a new Drive And Save scheme launched on Wednesday.
Cabbies who pay at least 50 cents a day into their Medisave account will receive an additional 50 cents daily from their taxi companies. This comes up to a yearly $360 contribution to cabbies' accounts. The scheme is expected to help about 25,000 drivers and will cost the seven companies $4 million a year.

Charged for insulting, threatening ST reporter

A DESIGNER was charged on Wednesday for allegedly sending insulting and threatening messages via email, voicemail and a letter to a newspaper correspondent for a period spanning more than a year. Amy Chua Kwan Ming, 34, is said to have sent Ms Joanne Lee Li Li, 36, five email messages that either harassed or distressed the recipient between August 2008 and September 2009. Chua also mailed an insulting letter as well as left two threatening messages on Ms Lee's voicemail in the office. According to the charges, the designer, who works freelance for a structural design firm, is said to have made threats at the 36-year-old correspondent, which included hiring a private investigator to check on her. At Wednesday's hearing, Chua declined to undergo a psychiatric assessment at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) that was suggested by the police prosecutor. Instead, she asked District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan to impose a fine to settle the matter. Pointing out that it had not come to that stage yet, the judge adjourned the case to Jan 19, so as to allow for further investigations. He also ordered Chua not to approach Ms Lee.

Passer-by catches snatch thief

A SNATCH-AND-RUN robbery attempt by a 29-year-old man was foiled by a member of the public on Tuesday. The suspect accosted a 34-year-old woman sitting at a void deck of Block 76A, Redhill Road at about 10.50pm and tried to snatch her handbag. He was unable to pry the handbag from her and fled when she yelled for help. The victim's shouts attracted the attention of 29-year-old Mohamed Rozali. Mr Rozali chased the suspect and eventually managed to detain him in the vicinity of Block 77, Redhill Road. The suspect was subsequently handed over to the police and will be charged in court on Thursday.

Ghostly taxi found in Choa Chu Kang

HAVE you ever seen such an unusual taxi? Lovell Tan never has. The user on popular citizen journalism website Stomp came across this taxi which, on the inside, was decorated with obituary photos, toys and figurines. Apparently she was with her friend when she stumbled onto this taxi in Choa Chu Kang, an area that is not short on cemeteries. According to the National Environment Agency website, Choa Chua Kang Cemetery is the only cemetery in Singapore still open for burials. She told Stomp: 'It was over-flowing with decorations - the front and back windows was filled with figurines, there was an amazing amount of written notes and stickers all over the taxi, and obituary photos were hanging from end to end. ''Even the car boot was filled with toys and figurines and photos of the dead.' As I was taking photos of the taxi, the driver came up to us and I asked him if we could take a photo of him with the taxi. He obliged. 'I wonder if anyone would dare to ride in his taxi. 'Those daring passengers might receive a discount on the fare as well we think - from the pictures the atmosphere of the cab looks chilly enough without turning on the air-con.

Blood-stained body found at Bukit Batok church

THE body of a 29-year-old man was found on a grass patch in the compound of the Church of Saint Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 on Wednesday morning. The man was found lying motionless at the back of the church compound near some classrooms and later pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, at about 10.20am. There were bruises on his face and blood stains on his chest. Besides the church, police also cordoned off the void deck of a block of flats opposite the church. Members of the church interviewed were unaware of what happened and the church has so far declined comment. It is not clear whether there is foul play involved.

Alleged rapist says woman agreed to sex at his flat

A MAN accused of rape claimed that the woman was the one who tried to seduce him while they were dancing at a popular nightspot.
Ong Mingwee, 28, who runs a family provision shop, stated that the 22-year-old woman had agreed to have sex with him, and no force was used. He is alleged to have raped the woman at a flat in Toa Payoh North in the early hours of Feb 12, 2009. In his statements, which were admitted in evidence on Wednesday, he said he did not understand why the woman had lodged a report against him. Investigation officer Station Inspector Azman Mohd Hussin, read out the statements he recorded from Ong in court. Ong stated that when he met the woman and her friend for the first time at Zouk, she was quite high. He said they were together most of the time that evening. While drinking, he said she pulled him to the dance floor and the sexy way in which she danced, made it seem she was trying to seduce him. After the club closed, they left in a taxi for home. They started kissing and when he asked if she wanted to go to his place, she agreed, he said. But when they were at his flat, she started to cry, saying she was scared and wanted to go home.

GCE O-level results will be released next Monday

THE results of the 2010 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-level) Examination will be released on Monday, Jan 10. School candidates may collect their results from their schools at 2pm on the same day. Private candidates will be informed of their results by post. They may also access their results through the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board website at http://www.seab.gov.sg/ from 2pm on Jan 10. Students can apply for Junior Colleges (JCs), Millennia Institute (MI), Polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) via the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) using their GCE O-level results. Students who wish to apply only to Polytechnics may also apply via the Joint-Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE). The JAE is conducted annually by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to allow those who had sat for the GCE O-level Examination to apply for admission to courses offered by the JCs, MI, Polytechnics and ITE. The JAE registration period is for five calendar days, starting from 3pm on Monday Jan 10 and ending at 4pm on Friday, Jan 14. Applicants are to submit their application online through the JAE Internet System (JAE-IS), accessible through the JAE website at http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/jae.

The JPSAE will be conducted together with the JAE from Jan 10 to Jan 14. A student can apply concurrently to both the JPSAE and JAE. The JPSAE complements the existing JAE, by allowing polytechnics to consider applicants based on a broader measure of merits beyond performance in the GCE O levels. Details on the JPSAE can be found at http://www.polytechnic.edu.sg/jpsae and on the respective polytechnics' websites.

'Gary Ng' admits filming more than 500 sex clips

WHILE he was engaged in sex with different women, the intimate moments were filmed with a video camera hidden in a plastic bag with a slit.
Some women were willing parties for the filming, but others were filmed without their consent. Chen Guilin, alias Gary Ng, then posted some of the video clips on the Internet with the women's faces masked. The 28-year-old on Tuesday pleaded guilty to possessing 507 obscene films, of which more than 480 were clips of him having sex with various women. The items were seized by police from his flat at Yishun Street 22 in June last year. The police also found another person's identity card in his flat. The former property agent on Tuesday also admitted to seven other offences, including breaking into the home of his client while she was away, forgery and criminal breach of trust.

Record $400m for NTU's medical school

THE yet-to-open medical school of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has received a record donation of $400 million, the largest contribution ever made to a tertiary institution here. The infusion of funds was triggered by a $150 million donation from the Lee Foundation; the sum is itself the biggest private donation given to an educational cause here. The Government responded by putting $250 million into the kitty of the school, which will open in 2013. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had announced in his National Day Rally speech last August that, instead of matching endowed donations to the universities on a dollar-for-dollar basis as previously, it will provide 1.5-to-1 matching funds for up to 20 years. New institutions like NTU's medical school will have it better: They will get $3 from the Government for every donated dollar in an endowed fund for the first 10 years, and $1.50 for every dollar thereafter. NTU told The Straits Times on Tuesday night that as the medical school was a new institution, every dollar in the first $16.7 million of the $150 million donation will enjoy an enhanced Government matching of $3 to every dollar given, subject to a cap of $50 million; every dollar in the remaining $133.3 million attracted $1.50 from the Government.

Cyclist dies, another hurt in accident

ONE cyclist was killed and another injured in an accident involving a lorry on Monday morning.
The incident took place at around 7.45am along Changi Coast Road towards East Coast Parkway, a route popular with amateur cyclists. Air force regular Chua Shiu Beng, 45, died five hours later at Changi General Hospital from injuries that included a pelvic fracture and abdominal bleeding. His cycling partner and colleague, Mr Kenneth Wong Wai Kiang, 40, is under observation for multiple abrasions to his face, shoulder and ribs. Mr Wong, who spoke to The Straits Times from his hospital bed, said: 'One moment I'm cycling, and the next moment I'm in hospital.' Speaking at their family home in the east on Tuesday, Mr Chua's wife, who wanted to be known only as Mrs Chua, said he was an avid cyclist and devoted father to a son and daughter. 'It was his day off on Tuesday and he really enjoys cycling. He and Kenneth would often cycle together, almost weekly,' she said, adding that he was careful and took safety precautions. Friends at the house said he had recently taken part in a 40km cycling marathon.

Risque ads for escorts pulled from LTA signboard

AMONG the offers of rooms for rent and tuition classes on the community notice board outside Ang Mo Kio MRT station, two notices stood out.
One sought 'young, pretty, attractive, open-minded' female masseuses or escorts, while the other had an eye-opening $10 'shower package' among the highlights of services provided.

Serial burglar caught on CCTV, police seek tip-offs

ON THE morning of Dec 3, 2010, employees of three different companies arrived at work to a shocking discovery. Their offices had been ransacked, locks tampered with and items including laptops, cameras and cash stolen. All three incidents took place at the same building at Blk 130, Jurong East Street 13. A week later on Dec 10, 2010, another break-in was reported at the same location. This time it was caught on CCTV. The culprit is believed to be in his 20s, of medium-build and was last seen wearing a green camouflage windbreaker, white shirt, black pants, gloves and a pair of black-framed spectacles. Police are appealing for tip-offs from eyewitnesses. Catch the latest episode of i-Witness on the serial burglar in Jurong East.

Number of credit cards charges past 6 million mark

FLASHING the plastic has never been more popular in Singapore, with the number of credit cards issued crossing the six million mark for the first time. That works out to six to seven cards per eligible cardholder, and they are spending more with their plastic arsenal, too, as consumer confidence rebounds strongly. Based on the latest preliminary figures from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the number of main cards crossed the six million mark in October and hit 6.079 million in November. Including supplementary cards - cards linked to the principal cardholder's cards - the total number of cards based on November's preliminary figures would be 7.46 million.
Singapore crossed the five million mark in main credit cards in November 2008, meaning new cards were added to consumer wallets at a blistering pace. Market experts suggest the eligible number of cardholders is around one million. The taxman's latest annual report shows about 906,000 taxpayers have assessed income of at least $30,000, which is the minimum annual income required for a card. A back-of-the-envelope calculation works out to 6.7 cards per person.

Quick News: Tuesday, January 04, 2011

2011-01-04T00:44:00.000-08:00

Cleaner stabs resident in neck after void deck row

A RESIDENT, who told a cleaner to quieten down, is now unable to speak after being stabbed in the neck. K Mohan, 49, pleaded guilty in a district court on Tuesday to hurting Mr Ngoh Chin Boon, 33, with a knife. He will be sentenced on Jan 21. The court heard that Mr Ngoh was playing chess with retiree Chan Keng Mun, 64, at the void deck of Block 26 Sin Ming Industrial Sector A at 10pm on Aug 1, 2009. Mohan was drinking beer with a friend nearby but an hour later, the cleaner started shouting and swearing vulgarities into his mobile phone.
Mr Ngoh told the cleaner not to talk so loudly or the police might come. A row broke out and when Mohan swung a beer bottle, Mr Ngoh pushed his attacker, who fell to the floor. The cleaner picked himself up and walked away briskly only to return minutes later with a knife that had a 13cm-long blade. Mohan then slashed the victim's arm and stabbed him in the neck before running off. Deputy Public Prosecutor Stella Tan said Mr Ngoh requires speech therapy and voice rehabilitation to try and speak again. Mohan was found fit to stand trial but the psychiatric report from the Institute of Mental Health stated he would require lifelong medication for his schizophrenia. Mohan has been in trouble with the law since 1982 and has been behind bars for fighting, theft and drug consumption. Defence counsel Suresh Damodara had asked for sentencing to be adjourned as Mohan intends to carry a kavadi during Thaipusam on Jan 20 so as to repent and cleanse himself. The cleaner is out on $15,000 bail furnished by his sister.

Lee Foundation makes $150m gift to NTU

THE Lee Foundation has given $150 million to Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) new medical school. Two endowment funds will be established at the school. Half of the gift - $75 million - is designated for an endowment fund offering student financial aid in the form of scholarships, bursaries and other forms of student financial support. The remaining half will form another endowment fund for the advancement of medical education and clinical research at the medical school. In recognition of the gift, the school at NTU will be named the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, after the founder of the Lee Foundation - renowned business leader, pioneer and philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Together with the enhanced Singapore government matching, NTU will receive a total of $400 million. 'Lee Foundation is honoured to be chosen by NTU and Imperial College to be partners in moving Singapore's medical education a step further. Together with the enhanced Singapore Government matching, this school will contain some of the best features of current medical education, and also provide assistance to bright and needy medical students who can pursue their life's mission,' said a Lee Foundation spokesman.

Alleged killer faces child abuse charges

A MAN accused of the murder of his girlfriend's three-year-old son was charged on Tuesday with ill-treating him seven times. Muhammad Raffiq Jaffah, 23, allegedly slapped Danish Iman Abdullah at a hotel in Lorong 22 Geylang while the child was under his care in mid-September last year. He is said to have ill-treated the child six more times at a Geylang Road shophouse between November and Dec 10, 2010. He is accused of - among other things - biting the boy on his hand and leg, placing a lighted disposable lighter on his body, and caning him with a plastic clothes hanger. The boy died on Dec 20, five days after he was warded for injuries.
Raffiq has been remanded for psychiatric assessment. He will appear in court on Jan 25.
Each charge under the Children and Young Persons Act carries a maximum of $4,000 fine and four years' jail.

Court told of frantic phone calls

A WOMAN broke down on the witness stand on Monday while testifying at the trial of a man accused of raping her daughter. The 51-year-old housewife was recounting the events of Feb 12, 2009, when she lost her composure. She was one of six witnesses called to the stand at the start of the trial of Ong Mingwee. The 28-year-old accused, who helps out in his father's minimart business, claimed trial on the charge of raping the then 22-year-old woman at his Toa Payoh North flat in the early hours of that day. On Monday, Ong was more than an hour late for his hearing. His lawyer, Ms Goh Siok Leng, tried calling him, but to no avail. She then spoke to Ong's father, who said he had left home. When the court convened at around 10.15am, District Judge Hamidah Ibrahim gave the benefit of the doubt to Ong, giving him 30 minutes to appear. He arrived at about 10.40am and counsel apologised on his behalf.

Launch of S'pore-made satellite delayed again

SINGAPORE'S long-awaited journey into space has hit another unexpected delay.
The Republic's first locally-built satellite was to be launched at the end of last December. But the refrigerator-sized micro-satellite, dubbed X-Sat, will now not be launched until the first week of February, said Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chairman K.Radhakrishnan.

HDB to launch 11,000 new flats

THE Housing Board will launch 11,000 new flats in the first half of this year in estates such as Bukit Panjang, Jurong West, Punggol, Sengkang and Yishun. The HDB also said on Monday that it plans to offer up to 22,000 new flats for the whole of this year if the demand for homes is sustained. This follows the statutory board's recent aggressive moves to ramp up supply, with 17,700 new homes launched last year. On top of this figure, last year it also unveiled premium condo-like executive condominium (EC) units and Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) units, a total of 4,000 and 3,000 flats, respectively. Of the EC units, 1,659 have already been put up for sale. The other projects will be launched by private developers as and when they are ready, said the HDB. This year, it also plans to add to the supply of premium homes by launching the sale of four sites in the first half of the year under the DBSS, which will generate about 2,720 flats - about two-thirds of the 4,000 flats expected for the year.

Estate agents' council swamped on Day 1

THE new statutory board in charge of regulating and licensing property agents here had a rough first day of business on Monday. The Toa Payoh premises of the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) was thronged with people, mainly disgruntled property agents or their bosses, who had shown up to ask about licences that had yet to be issued or sort out property transaction disputes.

The machine issuing queue numbers was working overtime, and several people saw a few hours go up in smoke as they waited in line. About 30 people were still there when The Straits Times dropped in at 5pm. Premiere Realty chief executive Jimmy Ng was there to find out why his 30 agents, approved as practising agents last year, had yet to receive their licences. After trying unsuccessfully to call the CEA's hotline for two hours, he turned up at its offices in HDB Hub at 11am.

Parking labels for disabled open to abuse

WHEELCHAIR-BOUND Norrizwan Rasip knows all too well that sticking a parking label for handicapped drivers on the windscreen of his car is no guarantee of landing that parking space set aside for drivers like him.
The IT training executive, 30, who drives a modified car after having lost the use of his legs from a spinal-cord injury in 2000, has seen too many instances of these parking labels being abused.

Director of defunct school charged over fake booze

IN AN unusual twist to the sudden closure of the School of Applied Studies (SAS) last October, one of the directors of the defunct school is now being accused of adulterating the contents of a brand of whisky. SAS, a private school, closed down suddenly because of financial difficulties, leaving about 300 students stranded

Sorry, no free parking here on Sundays

SHOPPERS hoping to do some Sunday shopping at nex shopping mall in Serangoon - while enjoying free Sunday parking at nearby HDB estates - are in for some disappointment. Even before it opened in November, HDB had removed free parking on Sundays and public holidays at carparks around the shopping mall. HDB has removed free parking on Sundays and public holidays at carparks around nex shopping mall, such as this one between Blocks 203 and 204 at Serangoon Central.

Housing: Resale flat price rises are stabilising

THE relentless pace of rising Housing Board (HDB) resale flat prices over the past year or so has finally met some resistance as prices rise at a slower rate.
Advance estimates released by the HDB on Monday showed that for the three months ended Dec 31, resale flat prices rose 2.4 per cent compared with the previous third quarter of 2010.
In the third quarter, resale prices had risen at a markedly faster pace of 4 per cent from the second quarter of 2010. The latest data brings the total rise in HDB resale flat prices for 2010 to about 13.3 per cent - a fresh record for prices. However, the 2.4 per cent fourth quarter gain is the smallest quarterly rise since the second quarter of 2009. The highest growth rate posted in a calendar year was in 2007 when resale flat prices shot up by 16.6 per cent.

Manufacturing revs economy to new high

A SURGE in manufacturing output provided the rocket fuel that powered the economy to a record rate of growth for 2010. The crucial sector built on a rebounding pharmaceutical sector to rack up a bumper year overall and a blistering final quarter.
Manufacturing's robust performance - up 28.2 per cent in the fourth quarter over the same period in 2009 - allowed the Singapore economy to expand by 12.5 per cent in the last three months of 2010.
These were flash estimates released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Monday with more data to be released next month. The fourth quarter performance in turn delivered the record 14.7 per cent growth for the whole year, a result that likely makes Singapore the fastest growing economy in Asia and among the fastest growing in the world. Manufacturing was the standout in the fourth quarter, but results were mixed elsewhere.

Hospital bills now more transparent: Khaw

PATIENTS can now compare prices between private and public hospitals on treatments for a wider range of common medical conditions. On Saturday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) updated its list of hospital bill sizes to include data from private hospitals for around 40 common medical conditions.
Previously, private hospitals - save for Mount Alvernia Hospital which complied fully - submitted bill sizes for only 10 out of the 70 common medical conditions tracked by the ministry. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, writing in his blog on Monday, hailed the move as a 'major achievement in our drive to promote bill size transparency'. He added that it took much cajoling to get the private hospitals on board. 'With persuasion and hand-holding over the past year, all private hospitals are now able to comply, though to slightly different degrees of comprehensiveness.

Casino exclusion orders to be approved faster

FAMILIES will now be able to get their relatives with gambling problems barred from casinos, just two weeks after they apply for it. This comes after changes to the application process by the National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG). Acting on feedback that six weeks was too long, the NCPG has more than halved the processing time by ensuring that a hearing date is set for each case once someone contacts the council for a family exclusion order. Earlier, families and subjects of the exclusion order would have to go through counselling, and have a detailed 25-page report on their circumstances submitted before a hearing date could be set. This part of the process is often the most time-consuming, said Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre senior counsellor Charles Lee, because problem gamblers can be uncooperative and delay the hearing by skipping appointments. With the new process, a hearing date is set even before the counselling is done, and regardless of whether the gambler turns up or not, a decision can be made based on the family's input.

Quick News: Monday, January 03, 2011

2011-01-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

'Better keep on trying to do better': PM Lee

SINGAPORE students fare well internationally, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday that they must continue trying to do better if they are to hold their own against fierce competition from elsewhere in the region.

He was speaking to about 600 constituents - students and their family members - at a bursary and scholarship presentation ceremony in his Teck Ghee ward.

In an off-the-cuff speech, he also stressed the importance of Singaporeans having the knowledge and skills to start them off in life, so that they can take on good jobs and improve their lives. His comments come a month after Singapore ranked among the top performers in the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) 2009 survey by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The study, which Mr Lee also cited in his New Year message on Friday, assesses the abilities of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics and science. Singapore students rated fifth in reading, second in mathematics and fourth in science among students from 65 economies.

Golfer struck by lightning wakes up

WHEN she heard the shocking news that her husband had been struck by lightning, Mrs Chen knew she had to provide him with whatever help he needed.

'I spent the whole night reading up on lightning strike victims, what they go through, and how they feel, so I can take care of him,' said the 50-year-old, who did not want to give her full name.

Her husband, Mr Chen Yuk Fu, 62, regained consciousness on Sunday - more than 10 hours after he was struck while playing golf last Saturday afternoon. Mrs Chen has visited him in the intensive care unit of Changi General Hospital, where he is in a stable condition. She said she was relieved he could recognise her. She told The Straits Times how she cried for hours until she lost her voice, after a friend told her about the accident at Laguna National Golf and Country Club in Changi. Mr Chen, a technology firm director, suffered burns to his head, neck and hand.

Four youths arrested for snatch theft

FOUR youths, aged 14 to 16, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a case of snatch theft.
The snatch theft occurred at Montreal Green Park, near Block 588 Montreal Drive.
On New Year's Eve on Friday, a 23-year-old man had his mobile phone, valued at about $350, snatched away by four unknown assailants.
The victim chased after the youths and managed to detain one of them. Police arrested the detained suspect, along with a second suspect who was found at the scene.
The stolen mobile phone was also recovered from some bushes near the crime scene.
The remaining two suspects were arrested on Saturday in the Ang Mo Kio vicinity in the afternoon. Investigations against the four suspects are ongoing.

TCM 'specialists' to be investigated

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physicians who flout the rules by claiming to be specialist doctors are to be investigated by the Ministry of Health (MOH). Unlike doctors in Western medicine, there is no authority here that certifies them as specialists.

Since 2001, TCM practitioners have had to be licensed with MOH, a move aimed at improving their care. The rules say they can only call themselves physicians or acupuncturists. Yet this has not stopped some touting themselves as specialists - putting up signs outside their clinics or charging higher fees. Consultation with a TCM physician plus medication typically costs between $50 and $300. Those who claim to be specialists can charge up to $1,000. Prescriptions of herbs often account for the bulk of the bills. About 20 patients have complained to the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) about overcharging and high-pressure sales tactics in the last three years.

No Singaporeans affected by the Egyptian bomb blasts

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that no Singaporeans were affected by the recent bomb blast in Egypt.

In response to queries, an MFA spokesman said: 'Our Embassy in Cairo is in touch with the Singaporeans residing in Alexandria, Egypt.

'There are no Singaporeans affected by the bomb blast.'

The spokesman also added that Singapore strongly condemns the attack on a religious institution in Egypt. 'The incident is another sombre reminder that terrorism continues to remain a serious threat and all countries have to remain vigilant and take tough counter-terrorist action in the fight against this scourge,' the spokesman added.

Singaporean appointed to Vatican council

THE Roman Catholic Church has appointed a Singaporean to one of its 12 Pontifical Councils in the Vatican.

The councils, which together comprise about 600 people worldwide, advise Pope Benedict XVI on matters ranging from interfaith dialogue to migrant issues. Mr Michael Thio, 65, a former director of British Telecom, will serve as a member of the Pontifical Council of Cor Unum - or 'One Heart' - which oversees the Church's charity programmes. The appointment was announced by the Vatican - the central governing body for Catholics around the world - last Thursday. Only one other Singaporean - Sister Theresa Seow, 54, a Canossian nun - has been known to serve the Vatican as a council member. On his new appointment, Mr Thio told The Straits Times on Sunday that he would bring 'systemic change' to the lives of the poor, starting with those in developing countries.

Trade Minister visiting Jakarta for discussions

MINISTER for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, will be in Jakarta from Monday to Tuesday. He will be attending, a ministerial meeting with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa and other senior officials to discuss the progress of the six joint Economic Working Groups formed after an earlier retreat between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in May 2010.

The six working groups are set up to enhance bilateral economic cooperation in cruise tourism, civil aviation, manpower and agribusiness, investments and cooperation in the special economic zones (SEZs) of Batam, Bintan, and Karimum (BBK) as well as other SEZs.

During the visit, Mr Lim will also be holding bilateral meetings with Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu and Industry Minister MS Hidayat.

Mr Lim will be accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Transport and other government agencies for the trip.

Singapore was the top source of realised foreign investment into Indonesia in 2009, amounting to US$4.4 billion. In the same year, Indonesia accounted for the largest number of tourism arrivals into Singapore.

Quick News: Sunday, January 02,2011

2011-01-02T02:02:00.000-08:00

Residents 'swing' in the new year with PM Lee

'Let's work together, climb new heights and break new ground, and make Singapore even better in 2011,' said PM Lee (centre). -- ST PHOTO: NURIA LING

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong ushered in the new year amid dazzling fireworks together with more than 20,000 residents in Serangoon last Friday night.

He was at a countdown party organised by the Serangoon Citizens Consultative Committee.

Dubbed 'Serangoon Swing 2011', it got off to a rousing start at 6pm with line dancing, bouncing castles and a foam party booth.

The Serangoon Gardens Circus was filled to full capacity as thousands thronged the specially built stage to watch local media artists such as Rui En and Jeanette Aw perform.

As midnight drew close, Mr Lee joined the artists and celebrities on stage to ring in the new year, adding his own well wishes for Singapore.

'We have had a very good 2010,' he said. 'Let's work together, climb new heights and break new ground, and make Singapore even better in 2011.'

Read the full report in this week's edition of The Sunday Times.

Taiwan set to lift ban on solo Chinese tourists

TAIPEI - TAIWAN is expected to lift its decades-old ban on visits by individual Chinese tourists from April in yet another sign of the island's fast-warming ties with China, officials and local media said on Sunday.
Currently Chinese are only allowed to travel to the island in groups as Taiwan's authorities are concerned they might otherwise over-stay their visas and work illegally.
'We're ready for the further opening measures,' an official at Taiwan's China policy decision-making body Mainland Affairs Council said on condition of anonymity. She would not provide details, but the Taipei-based China Times said that up to 500 residents from Shanghai and Beijing would be permitted to travel to the island each day on a trial basis.
'The two sides have reached a consensus on the long-anticipated policy, with the measures starting around the Tomb Sweeping Day' which falls on April 5, the Times said, without identifying its source.
Solo Chinese tourists would be allowed to stay in Taiwan for up to 15 days, it said. When asked to comment on the report, Chen Chiung-wen, an official at Taiwan's Tourism Bureau, said she expected the new measures to be realised soon 'as they meet the targets of the two sides'.
She said 'tourists from China for the first time will be given the chance of making in-depth tours of Taiwan,' adding that further discussion would be needed. -- AFP

S.Korea battles spread of foot-and-mouth, bird flu

SEOUL - SOUTH KOREA on Sunday reported seven new cases of foot-and-mouth disease as the country battles its worst outbreak of the highly contagious virus and its first avian influenza outbreak in more than two years.
The agriculture ministry confirmed seven cases of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle and pig farms at five cities across the country, bringing the total number of cases to 74 since November 29.
'We're waiting for lab results for three more suspected cases... the situation is quite hectic at the moment,' a ministry official at the emergency task force centre told AFP.
More than 660,000 cattle, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals have been or will be soon slaughtered in the country's worst outbreak of the disease, with related losses estimated at more than 400 billion won (S$452.6 million).
'The number of animals (affected by the outbreak) constantly keeps rising... it's hard for us to keep up,' the ministry spokesman said. About 160,000 animals were killed during the previous worst outbreak in 2002.
In a desperate attempt to contain the spread of the disease, the government since December 25 has vaccinated some 450,000 cattle - risking a longer export ban by overseas buyers. It takes longer for a country that uses vaccinations to regain disease-free status from the World Organisation for Animal Health than when the disease is curbed solely by culling. -- AFP

Transit towards a greener, more accessible system

SINGAPORE'S transport successes are well known, but its transport system could be greener, with easier access for the old and infirm.
A new study of urban transport in 15 cities, conducted by consulting firm Accenture, came to that conclusion about Singapore and what it terms as fellow 'laboratory' cities, such as Seoul in South Korea.
Such cities already use effective solutions, such as congestion charges and car-pooling incentives, but they can go even further, said Accenture managing partner Lee Won Joon.
He oversaw the Asian segment of the study, which looked at a wide range of cities picked for their different sizes, stages of development and locations.
The study will be used for Accenture projects on urbanisation and intelligent cities - urban centres which use technology to cut energy consumption, become more sustainable and respond faster to residents' needs.
Mr Lee pointed out Singapore's successes in using congestion charges and cutting down the car population with quota schemes, and acknowledged its attempts to beef up its public transport network.

Read the full report in this week's edition of The Sunday Times.

Brighter, breezier, better food centre

HIS hawker stall reopened on Saturday after a nine-month-long renovation, but mee rebus seller Chew Keok Lye is taking things slow.
'I have to get used to the layout of the new stall,' said the 60-year-old, demonstrating how his cooking speed depends on his familiarity with where his chopsticks, ladles and tools are.
But he says the newly refurbished food centre and market at Block 538, Bedok North Street 3, is brighter and breezier than before.
The popular market and hawker centre was bustling on Saturday as residents descended on the food stalls after waiting nearly one year while the National Environment Agency (NEA) spruced it up to a tune of $4 million.
During the renovation works, the market and hawker stalls moved to a temporary facility steps away.
Business was so good yesterday that Mr Chew's one 'practice' pot of mee rebus sold out by early afternoon, while long queues formed at fish soup and noodle stalls.

Read the full report in this week's edition of The Sunday Times.

3 Yishun snatch thieves caught over the new year

TWO women and a man, aged between 24 to 32 years of age, have been arrested for snatch theft. The trio preyed on residents in the Yishun housing estate.
On the morning of Dec 22, a 60-year-old woman had her wallet snatched by an unknown suspect at Blk 603 Yishun St 61.
In another incident at Blk 655 Yishun Ave 4 on Dec 27, two women inside a lift threw chilli powder in the face of a 58-year-old woman. They then made off with her gold chain.
The three suspects disposed of the stolen items together.
Investigations by the police led to the arrest of two suspects - a 24-year-old man and a 30 year-old woman, along King George Avenue, on Friday. The last suspect - a 32-year-old woman - was arrested on Saturday at Blk 917 Hougang Avenue 9.
The three will be charged in court on Sunday.

Barely out of their teens and running a business

THEY are young and restless, and direct their energy towards making money while still hitting their textbooks.
Some of these budding entrepreneurs were barely 20 years old when they started out. Their business interests range from cafe start-ups to travel agencies.

Read the full story in The Sunday Times today.

Would you notice if your bonus payment was wrong?

BONUS season is here again: that special time of the year when workers across the island enjoy a small windfall for their efforts throughout the year.
But while that bonus payment is something everyone looks forward to, many people - it turns out - do not actually know where the money is coming from.

Prices of HDB resale flats still going up

PRICES of public housing resale flats are still going up despite the falling cash premiums demanded by sellers.
Fresh data obtained by The Straits Times from three major property agencies showed overall median prices climbing across almost all flat types in November, compared to HDB's latest third quarter statistics.
This is despite measures introduced by the Government on Aug 30 to cool Singapore's red-hot public housing market, which tightened financing and restricted home ownership.
When contacted, the Housing Board (HDB) said that it was unable to comment further on the resale prices ahead of the release of the flash estimates on Jan 3.
'However, we do see falling COV, resale volume, and a gradual slowing down of price growth,' it said.
It added: 'We are unable to speculate how HDB resale flat prices will move in the next quarter as other than demand and supply, they are also affected by various factors such as economic conditions and market sentiments.'