aseanpr

Parliament: Phase 3 could last over a year, restrictions may be reimposed if cases spike again

aseanpr 4 11 月

6 minutes

SINGAPORE - Phase 3 of the nation's reopening in the wake of Covid-19 could last a year or more, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong told Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 4). Ms Cheng Li Hui (Tampines GRC) had asked about phase 3, including what factors are taken into account when deciding on the maximum number of people allowed for various events, what safeguards will be put in place when activities resume on a larger scale, and what might happen if cases were to surge again. In response, Mr Gan reiterated that phase 3 - which Singapore could move into by year-end if the virus remains under control here - would not be a return to pre-Covid days. It would last until the rest of the world has the virus under tight control or when effective treatments or vaccines are widely available, he added. This means that measures must be put in place to enable everyone to stay safe while continuing to live, work and mark major life events. Mr Gan said group size limits depend on factors such as how frequently an activity takes place, what potential risks it has, and whether additional safety measures can be implemented to mitigate such risks. Pointing to the large clusters of Covid-19 cases that had forme...

Seven arrested for drug-related offences, 57 investigated for breaching Covid-19 rules

aseanpr 4 11 月

1 minute

SINGAPORE - Seven people have been arrested for suspected drug-related offences while 57 are under investigation for allegedly breaching Covid-19 measures. The police said on Wednesday (Nov 4) that those arrested for suspected drug activities comprised four men and three women, and they are being investigated by the Central Narcotics Bureau. Those who supposedly breached Covid-19 rules had gathered in groups of more than five and are between the ages of 19 and 66, the police added. Two men are also being investigated for providing public entertainment and selling liquor without a valid licence. All suspects were caught during enforcement efforts against unlicensed public entertainment outlets along Ubi Road 1 and Kallang Pudding Road between Oct 28 and Oct 31. The offence of providing public entertainment without a valid licence carries a fine of up to $20,000. The offence of supplying liquor without a valid licence also carries a fine of up to $20,000. The police said they "take a serious view of anyone found breaking the law, and offenders will be dealt with in accordance to the law."

Ex-cleaner sentenced to life in jail, 18 strokes of the cane for killing supervisor with grass cutter

aseanpr 4 11 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Barely a month into his new job at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, a 27-year-old Malaysian cleaner had an argument with his supervisor, stabbed her with a pair of grass cutters, and bludgeoned her as she pleaded for mercy. Ahmad Muin Yaacob then stole the gold Madam Maimumah Awang, 54, was wearing, hid her body in a drain, and fled across the Causeway to Malaysia where he pawned the jewellery partly to pay for his wedding in Kelantan two weeks later. On Wednesday (Nov 4), Ahmad Muin was sentenced to 18 strokes of the cane and life imprisonment. In a courtroom filled with Madam Maimumah's family members, the court heard that during the altercation on Nov 24, 2016, Ahmad Muin was alone with her when he attacked her, thrusting the blades of the grass cutters into her chest. She fell and pleaded with him not to harm or kill her. She tried to get up, but he repeatedly hit her head with the grass cutters. He then pulled her body to a 1.8m drain outside, removed the drain covers, pushed her in and closed the covers. Having taken Madam Maimunah's jewellery and phone, he took a taxi to Woodlands Checkpoint, where he got on a bus to Johor. He pawned one of her bracelets for RM1,000 (...

Girl hurt in Woodlands crash wakes up after 11 days in coma

aseanpr 4 11 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE (THE NEW PAPER) - An eight-year-old girl who was flung out of a van in a road accident in Woodlands last month woke up on Tuesday (Nov 3) after 11 days in a coma. Her father, Mr Eric Tan, 45, told The New Paper on Tuesday night that Lovelynn regained consciousness at about 4pm. "She cannot speak or respond yet. She just woke up and can only move the left side of her body," he said in Mandarin. Earlier in the day at about 7.30am, Mr Tan had posted an update on social media on his daughter's condition. He said the swelling in her brain had gone down and the blood clots were gradually dissolving. But the mobility on the right side of her body would be affected, and she is estimated to need a longer time to recover. "She will be required to stay in ICU (intensive care unit) for further observation," he wrote. Lovelynn is warded at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, where Mr Tan and his wife have been keeping vigil. She was one of four people injured in the accident involving a van driven by her uncle and a red Audi car on Woodlands Avenue 12 just after 8pm on Oct 23. More on this topic Related Story Father overwhelmed by support from public for 8-year-old in coma after Woodl...

Sustainability should be put at the core of post-pandemic recovery plans: Grace Fu

aseanpr 4 11 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - As Singapore revives its pandemic-hit economy, sustainability and the fight against climate change must be a fundamental driver in post Covid-19 recovery plans, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Wednesday (Nov 4). "We are at a significant juncture, where we have the opportunity to put sustainability at the core of our recovery plans and policies, and change the way we produce and consume," the minister added. She said the country should continue strengthening its resilience against future shocks, including the "existential challenge" of climate change, supply chain disruptions and other public health threats. Ms Fu was delivering her keynote address at the Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources, organised by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. Even as Singapore works hard to "build back better" in the face of an expected economic contraction of five to seven per cent this year, Ms Fu outlined how this can be done in a sustainable and inclusive manner. This includes driving climate action, catalysing innovation, and persisting with zero waste goals. She cited how Singapore submitted its enhanced plan for emissions r...

SFA directs recall of 2 ‘gluten-free’ cereal products for containing the protein

aseanpr 3 11 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Two cereal products which are labelled as gluten-free are being recalled for containing the protein, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Tuesday (Nov 3). The products - Blue Frog Zesty Raspberry with Coconut & Toasted Almonds Gluten Free Cereal and Blue Frog Apricot with Vanilla & Hemp Heart Gluten Free Cereal - were imported into Singapore by Home & Health Distributors. SFA has instructed the Singapore-based importer to recall these products after government agency Food Standards Australia New Zealand stated that they were recalled in the two countries for containing an undeclared gluten allergen. The affected raspberry cereal packages bear the best-before dates of Feb 13, 2021, to Aug 6, 2021. The apricot cereal packets bear the best-before dates of Feb 19, 2021, to Aug 6, 2021. Those who are allergic to gluten should not eat these cereal products and seek medical advice if they have concerns, added the agency. Under the Sale of Food Act, cereals containing gluten must be clearly labelled to protect public health. Consumers can contact the importer on 9160-9443 for an exchange or refund of the affected products. More on this topic Related Story SFA recalls peaches...

Covid-19: Automated wireless system that monitors blood oxygen successfully piloted

aseanpr 3 11 月

5 minutes

SINGAPORE - A new weapon has been added to Singapore's arsenal against Covid-19: an automated system that monitors oxygen levels in the blood. Low blood oxygen could be a symptom of Covid-19. The new system utilises Bluetooth-enabled pulse oximeters to measure blood oxygen levels. It will help automate manual tasks and compile pulse oximeter readings from thousands of individuals neatly on a dashboard. A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) - in consultation with clinicians from the National University Hospital and Singapore General Hospital - worked on the new system from April to June. The project was also supported by both Temasek Foundation and the National Research Foundation. This new system consists of several components: wireless nodes to capture data from the Bluetooth-enabled pulse oximeters, individual Bluetooth-enabled pulse oximeters which individuals can use to take their readings, WiFi stations and a dashboard that presents the data. Workers living in dormitories need to measure and record their oximeter readings twice a day as part of precautionary measures to identify new cases of infection. This process is currently done manually. Wi...

MAS to stop issuing $1,000 notes over money laundering, terrorism financing concerns

aseanpr 3 11 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will stop issuing the $1,000 note from January next year to minimise the money laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with such a large denomination. From now till January, the MAS will also limit the quantity of $1,000 notes issued each month, although banks can continue recirculating the existing $1,000 notes that have been deposited with them, it said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 3). It added that it will "make available sufficient quantities of other denominations" to meet demand, in particular the $100 note, which is the next highest denomination after the $1,000 note. Existing $1,000 notes in circulation can continue to be used for payment, and remain legal tender, said the agency. In its statement, the agency also encouraged the public to use electronic payments instead of large denominations, which it said allows individuals to anonymously carry large sums of money, and can thus facilitate illicit activities like money laundering. The agency noted that most major jurisdictions have stopped issuing large denomination notes because of money laundering and terrorism financing concerns. More on this topic Rela...

Singapore tourism industry offers bundled promotions to entice locals

aseanpr 3 11 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Local tourism is getting a boost from bundled promotions by hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops, which are being offered under the SingapoRediscovers campaign from Tuesday (Nov 3). The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is launching around 50 of these bundled promotions, which can be found on the SingapoRediscovers website, or the VisitSingapore mobile application. The promotions are designed around 10 areas of Singapore which have specific attractions or cultural interest, such as Chinatown, Sentosa or the Mandai-Kranji nature area, STB said in a statement on Tuesday. To help consumers explore the 10 different precincts, STB is also launching holiday itineraries featuring recommended hotels, attractions, tours and shops which users can customise to plan their stays. Mr Keith Tan, chief executive of the tourism board, emphasised the novelty that local tourism can offer. He said: "There is so much to explore and do in our vibrant precincts. Each has a unique story to tell, and home-grown businesses that need our support." For more stories on exploring Singapore, go to the SG Go Where page. More on this topic Related Story From staycations to tours, 10 ideas on how you ...

Jobless man of unsound mind ordered to be detained after trial for murdering 75-year-old father

aseanpr 3 11 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A 46-year-old man of unsound mind was ordered to be detained at the President's pleasure on Tuesday (Nov 30) after the High Court found, following a trial, that he had killed his 75-year-old father. Justice Valerie Thean concluded that Tan Kok Meng, who was left alone for three hours with his father at their Bedok North flat, had caused the death of the older man on Nov 13, 2015. Although Tan was found to have committed the alleged acts, under the law, he was acquitted of murder due to his mental incapacity. Two psychiatrists from the Institute of Mental Health had diagnosed him with schizophrenia and found that he was probably of unsound mind during the killing. One of them said Tan was also in a state of acute drug intoxication during the incident as he had taken methamphetamine then. Tan will be confined in a psychiatric institution, prison or some other place of safe custody. There is no minimum period of detention and the mental state of the detainee is reviewed regularly until he is suitable for discharge. After the verdict, Tan appeared to be in good spirits and was allowed by the court to speak to a few family members. He was on trial for murder and was accused ...

With no grand festivities this year, crowds still visit Little India to shop ahead of Deepavali

aseanpr 2 11 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE - There will be no grand festivities for Deepavali this year, but crowds still descended on Little India on Sunday (Nov 1) afternoon to get their shopping done ahead of the upcoming celebrations on Nov 14. However, shop owners and patrons told The Straits Times that crowds paled in comparison to previous years. With no trade fairs or festival villages organised this year, a small number of stalls belonging to existing shops have been set up at Campbell Lane. Mr Rajkumar Chandra, president of the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association, said there was no space available this year for temporary festive stalls, and existing stallholders were only allowed to sell their goods within their premises and at permitted areas. "Those who have been vendors at bazaars have either given this year a miss or have resorted to online options. The online portal has helped many , but it cannot replace the experience of looking around and choosing items for themselves," he added. Stallholders selling flowers, decorations and festive snacks said that the past two weekends have been packed with customers in the lead up to Deepavali. Mr Iqbal Raja, 49, who works at Bawa's Delicacy, a s...

Singapore’s education and training sector must adapt to stay competitive globally: Chan Chun Sing

aseanpr 2 11 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE - The education sector in Singapore may be well-regarded, but it must continue to keep pace in the global market, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said on Monday (Nov 2). Speaking to the media after a virtual visit to a class at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development, Mr Chan said there are "tremendous opportunities" to relook how training and education is conducted in the industry and beyond Singapore. He mapped out four broad changes in the education sector, which he said must evolve to remain competitive. The first change is that learning cannot be limited to the initial 15 to 20 years of a person's life anymore, said Mr Chan. "It is no longer about just compulsory education, but it is about continuing education," he said, adding that Singapore has to find new ways of educating adult learners, which will be an increasingly important sector for the country. Mr Chan said the second trend that Covid-19 has hastened is how learning is now not just offline, but also online. "There are both benefits of online and offline teaching methods. The challenge for us is to make sure that we combine both methods and get the best outcome for our students,"...

14-year-old boys got lost in MacRitchie forest trying to find WWII Japanese shrine

aseanpr 2 11 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE (THE NEW PAPER) - On a whim, two teenagers decided to look for the remnants of a World War II Japanese shrine and ended up lost for several hours in the forest at MacRitchie Reservoir. Broadrick Secondary School student Richard Goh, 14, found out about the Syonan Jinja shrine while searching the Internet for interesting places to explore last month. When he told his classmate Soo Xiang Lin, also 14, they decided to take a bus to MacRitchie Reservoir to look for it, arriving at the Lornie Road entrance at 3pm on Oct 18. The boys, who did not inform their parents of their plan, had no food or water because they assumed there would be vending machines there. Clad in T-shirts, shorts and track shoes, they took the Terentang Trail suggested by Apple Maps until they reached an opening, which they used to enter the forest. It was 5pm by then. They met a man who was also looking for the shrine, but he soon gave up his search. The boys pressed on and realised they were lost at 6.45pm when their attempt to follow pieces of orange plastic tied to surrounding trees led them deeper into the forest. Richard told The New Paper last week: "There was that sense of hopelessness when I real...

MHA refutes allegations by Australian national that he saw inmates being walked to execution

aseanpr 2 11 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Home Affairs has refuted the allegations of an Australian national who said he suffered here while in remand for drug charges. Businessman Philip George Sceats gave an account of his time behind bars to Australian media, after he was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for his drug charge last year. He said he was a "broken man" after close to a year behind bars, claiming to have seen 14 fellow inmates being "walked to their execution" - a fate he faced as he had been charged with importing cocaine. He also claimed that he was subjected to a strict regime under which inmates were caned "on the bare bum" if they did something wrong, and that his cell lights were never turned off. In response to queries from The Straits Times, MHA clarified on Sunday (Nov 1) that contrary to his assertions, Mr Sceats "was never housed together with inmates on death row". He was kept instead in a separate area meant for remanded persons at Changi Prison, said the ministry, which oversees the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and Singapore Prison Service. The ministry also noted that the cells for those in remand are fitted with lights that are scheduled to automa...

$4m fund set up to give $500 in one-time payment to households affected by job loss

aseanpr 2 11 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - A $4 million fund has been set up to help Singaporean households that have family members who are unemployed amid the pandemic. Each eligible household will receive a one-time payout of $500. The Ngee Ann Kongsi-Community Development Council (CDC) Covid-19 Relief Fund was launched on Monday (Nov 2) by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and the five district mayors, who are also chairmen of the CDCs. At the ceremony, Mr Jamie Teo, president of non-profit organisation Ngee Ang Kongsi, presented a $2 million cheque to the mayors. The CDCs also pledged $2 million to the fund. It is targeted at Singaporeans aged 21 and above who are currently unemployed and have experienced income loss due to non-voluntary no-pay leave, retrenchment or termination for at least three months at the point of application. The CDCs will work with community partners to identify eligible Singaporeans from Nov 15 onwards. In a speech, Mr Heng said that the Government has committed close to $100 billion to support workers, businesses and families, most of which is disbursed through national-level schemes. "But some Singaporeans and their families do face unique or urgent circumstances, which requir...

PM Lee plants bonsai trees in first Tree Planting Day event to be held at rooftop garden

aseanpr 1 11 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong planted bonsai trees at a rooftop garden in Hougang on Sunday morning (Nov 1) to mark Tree Planting Day, an occasion that scored several firsts in the history of the annual event. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was held without participation from residents for the first time in its 49-year history. It was also the first tree planting event to be held at a rooftop garden and the first time bonsai trees were planted. Armed with shovels, PM Lee and fellow Ang Mo Kio GRC MPs - Mr Darryl David, Mr Gan Thiam Poh, Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Ms Ng Ling Ling - planted 10 Podocarpus macrophyllus trees, commonly known as the Buddhist pine, in their bonsai form at the rooftop garden of the multi-storey carpark at Block 933 Hougang Avenue 9. Kebun Baru SMC MP Henry Kwek and Yio Chu Kang SMC MP Yip Hon Weng joined them at the event. The origins of the event go back to June 16, 1963, when Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew started a tree-planting campaign by planting a mempat tree in Farrer Circus. The first Tree Planting Day was held on Nov 7, 1971, when then-acting prime minister Goh Keng Swee planted a rain tree on the summit of ...

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Nov 1

aseanpr 1 11 月

2 minutes

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, Nov 1. Lunch With Sumiko: 2020 feels like a lifetime for Lawrence Wong Thrust into the spotlight as co-chair of the government task force on Covid-19, Lawrence Wong has come into his own. Executive Editor Sumiko Tan sits down with the Education Minister, whom some pundits think could well be a contender for prime minister one day. READ MORE HERE Sex and consent on campus: S'pore universities still grappling with sexual misconduct incidents More than a year after the Monica Baey voyeurism saga, Singapore universities are still grappling with incidents of sexual misconduct. What has been done to address the problem? READ MORE HERE Long, harsh winter for S'porean students in US and Europe as Covid-19 cases spike They say other students on campus are blase about adopting safeguards. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news 'Stay at home': UK PM Johnson imposes new national lockdown as Covid-19 cases top 1 million The lockdown is set to begin on Nov 5 and last until Dec 2. READ MORE HERE GuessWhereSG: Explore remote spots around Singapore Venture out with The Sunday Tim...

Retail business closures hit 10-month high in September

aseanpr 1 11 月

4 minutes

Home-grown department store Robinsons has become the latest high-profile casualty in a growing list of retailers that the Covid-19 pandemic has claimed. Business cessations in the retail trade sector hit a 10-month high in September, with 457 companies calling it quits, according to figures from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. Topshop, Esprit and Sportslink were among those that have bowed out or moved their operations online as safety restrictions and tighter purse strings dent store sales. Another wave of closures is expected after relief to protect qualifying commercial tenants unable to pay rent from eviction and hiked up interest rates ends on Nov 19, said retailers and observers. Winter wear retailer Universal Traveller, for example, is facing the possibility of folding if it is unable to work out a rental payment plan with landlords for its five outlets. With travel off the cards for most Singaporeans this year and few tourists in sight, its sales are down by up to 90 per cent. Reserves are running dry for the three-decade-old business, and pivoting is not easy with cash tied up in inventory, chief executive Trey Poh told The Sunday Times. Mr Terence Yow, ...

Robinsons’ closure: Retailers in Singapore struggle amid 10-month high in closures for sector, more expected to shutter

aseanpr 1 11 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Home-grown department store Robinsons has become the latest high-profile casualty in a growing list of retailers that the Covid-19 pandemic has claimed. Business cessations in the retail trade sector hit a 10-month high in September, with 457 companies calling it quits, according to figures from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. Topshop, Esprit and Sportslink are among those that have bowed out or moved their operations online as safety restrictions and tighter purse strings dent store sales. Another wave of closures is expected after relief to protect qualifying commercial tenants unable to pay rent from eviction and hiked up interest rates ends on Nov 19, said retailers and observers. Winter wear retailer Universal Traveller, for example, is facing the possibility of folding if it is unable to work out a rental payment plan with landlords for its five outlets. With travel off the cards for most Singaporeans this year and few tourists in sight, its sales are down by up to 90 per cent. Reserves are running dry for the three-decade-old business, and pivoting is not easy with cash tied up in inventory, chief executive Trey Poh told The Straits Times. Mr T...

Madam Lim Ee Chin: Senior who braved fire keeps kampung spirit burning

aseanpr 1 11 月

3 minutes

When Madam Lim Ee Chin, 81, realised that her neighbour's flat was on fire, she rushed to help put it out without a second thought. Alarmed by the billowing, acrid smoke and the sound of several loud explosions, she dragged buckets of water from her bathroom and passed them to her next-door neighbour Aisyah Villegas to put out the flames. She never once considered her curved spine and heart trouble. Speaking in Mandarin, Madam Lim said: "I was worried that if their house burnt down, they would have no place to stay." She was also afraid the fire would spread to her flat. Worried about Madam Lim's safety, her sister Loh Guet Wah, 68, who lives with her, said she tried to get her to leave the flat, but Madam Lim refused. Both women are not married. For her courage, Madam Lim is one of the nominees for The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year award this year. The senior citizen was watching TV in the living room of her 12th-storey flat in Block 917 Jurong West Street 91 at about 11.20pm on Aug 9, when the fire broke out next door. Madam Lim, with the help of other neighbours, put out most of the fire before firefighters from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived. After the...

Copyright © 2020 ASEANPR.Com All rights reserved.