SeaPRwire

S’porean ex-religious teacher detained under ISA for terrorism-related offences

aseanpr
5 minutes

SINGAPORE - A 34-year-old Singaporean housewife and former religious teacher has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for planning to travel to Syria to take up armed violence for terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The Internal Security Department (ISD) on Wednesday (June 9) said Ruqayyah Ramli was radicalised by her husband, who was earlier arrested for similar offences. She had failed to respond to religious counselling after his arrest, and refused to turn away from her radical path. Ruqayyah, who was detained in April, had previously been issued a restriction order (RO) under the ISA in August last year, after her husband was detained under the Act. "Since being placed on RO however, there has been an escalation in Ruqayyah's radical behaviour and involvement in activities prejudicial to Singapore's security," said the ISD. "Ruqayyah has refused to make any genuine effort to participate in the rehabilitation programme, and remains entrenched in her radical beliefs. She continues to support ISIS' violent actions and believes in the use of violence against the perceived enemies of Islam." Under the restriction order, a person is not allowed to ...

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Woman who refused to wear mask at MBS offered bail, asks for charges against her to be dropped

aseanpr
4 minutes

SINGAPORE - A woman who was captured on video refusing to wear a mask at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) integrated resort has been offered bail, after she was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for two weeks. Phoon Chiu Yoke, 53, has been offered $8,000 bail. She faces seven charges for various offences, including failing to wear a mask at MBS, Newton hawker centre, Clarke Quay Central, Bras Basah Complex, and outside the State Courts building. On Tuesday (June 8), Phoon told the court four times that she was a naval officer with a "strong professional standing", and asked for the charges against her to be dropped. “I have a very strong professional standing, not only in Singapore, but globally... I served in the navy for 12 years and was the first female commanding officer,” she said. She also said there have been "procedural errors" on the part of the investigating officers, alleging that she was arrested without a warrant. Phoon also asked that she be offered bail of $3,000 without a surety, as she was the navy's first female commanding officer and has made contributions to Singapore "as a pioneer". The prosecution had asked for bail to be set at $10,000, with conditions t...

JCN Newswire
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Fujitsu Named “Noteworthy DX Company” for 2021

ruth
3 minutes

TOKYO, Jun 7, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Fujitsu today announced its recognition as one of Japan's digital transformation leaders with its selection as a "Noteworthy DX Company 2021" under the Digital Transformation (DX) Stock program jointly managed by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.The "DX Stock" program selects leading Japanese companies engaged in digital transformation (DX)(1) that fundamentally change their business models and strengthen competitiveness through the use of digital technologies. In addition to these companies, those with an exceptionally high overall rating or that have implemented outstanding initiatives are designated under the "Noteworthy DX Company" category.METI and the Tokyo Stock Exchange selected Fujitsu in recognition of its efforts to deepen existing businesses leveraging digital technology (VOICE program for digital management based on the opinions of customers and employees) and to create entirely new business models (establishment of new company, DUCNET Co., Ltd. delivering a cloud service to promote DX in manufacturing). This marks the fifth consecutive year that Fujitsu has been ...

SeaPRwire

NLB deputy director charged under OSA with leaking details of phase 2 reopening

aseanpr
2 minutes

SINGAPORE - A National Library Board deputy director was charged on Wednesday (May 19) under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) with leaking information on the resumption of activities in phase two of Singapore's reopening last June. Chua Wee Lin, 51, faces one charge of communicating information to people whom he was not authorised to share it with. As the deputy director of the property and facilities management department of the National Library Board (NLB), Chua had access to the information. He had allegedly leaked it to a WhatsApp group with 18 other members on June 11 last year before the Government released the information to the public. The police said in a statement Tuesday that the classified information was then disseminated by members of the WhatsApp group, resulting in the details being widely circulated before it was meant to be released. Six others who wrongfully received and communicated the information will be issued with stern warnings the police added. Chua is out on $5,000 bail and is expected to return to court on June 16. The Straits Times has contacted NLB for more information. The latest case comes on the back of two similar OSA cases. Noorain Jubli, 38, faces ...

SeaPRwire

Parks and developments recognised for good landscape design and management

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A total of 27 parks and developments in Singapore have been recognised for good landscape design and management under an enhanced certification scheme by the National Parks Board (NParks). The 2020 Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework certification schemenow puts more emphasis on ecology, the integration of greenery in design and park management in line with the City in Nature vision, NParks said in a statement on Wednesday (May 5). Some of the award recipients include Yale-NUS College, three of the wildlife parks operated by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and Jurong Lake Gardens. The annual scheme, which started in 2013 to recognise new and existing developments, was extended to include parks under a new category last year. Similar to developments, the 12 parks that were recognised were assessed on several factors such as design and landscaping, accessibility, community well-being and engagement, environmental sustainability, conservation and biodiversity, and maintenance strategies. Platinum is the top award under the scheme. Under the developments category, Yale-NUS College was re-certified as a Gold recipient with special mention for promoting community well...

SeaPRwire

Fed members see inflation under control, but more express concern

elean
2 minutes

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Most US central bankers viewed inflation as stable, but some are becoming more vocal about fears the Covid-19 pandemic will push prices higher, according to minutes of last month's Federal Reserve meeting released on Wednesday (April 7). Fed officials also expressed concern the pandemic was constraining the American labour force. The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) took no major action at the March 16-17 meeting, keeping its benchmark lending rate at zero to help the economy recover from the business disruptions and mass layoffs caused by Covid-19. While warning the recovery was incomplete, Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged the rebound has been faster than expected thanks to relief measures approved by Congress, including the US$1.9 trillion (S$2.55 trillion) American Rescue Plan enacted last month. However, the massive spending has raised fears inflation will increase as the world's largest economy reopens, which sparked a selloff in bonds and some rocky trading sessions on Wall Street. The FOMC meeting minutes showed most central bankers saw inflation as under control, with the risks "broadly balanced", but there was a split on the fear p...

SeaPRwire

MES Group companies, directors face 553 charges of employment offences including false salary declarations

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Three companies and their five directors were charged on Thursday (March 18) with making false salary and employment declarations in work pass applications. They are also facing charges of illegally employing foreigners without valid work passes and making employees work excessive overtime hours. The companies are Mini Environment Service, Labourtel Management Corporation and MES Logistics - all of which are part of property and logistics solutions company MES Group. The five directors are Chew Chain Loon, 56; Fathimunnisa Mohamed Abdul Jaleel, 37; Haja Nawaz, 52; Parvis Ahmed Mohamed Ghouse, 44; and Mohamed Jinna Mohamed Abdul Jaleel, 38. They are all Singaporeans. In all, the companies and directors are facing 553 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act and the Employment Act, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Thursday. MOM said it had acted on a tip-off in 2019 and mounted a special operation to probe allegations of illegal conduct at the MES Group of companies. Investigations revealed that between November 2009 and May 2019, Mini Environment Service had allegedly deployed its workers to work for Labourtel and MES Logistics without valid work passes...

ACN Newswire
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Shimao Services Announces 2020 Annual Results

indie
8 minutes

HONG KONG, Mar 15, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Shimao Services Holdings Limited ("Shimao Services" or the "Company"; HKEX stock code: 873.HK), a leading comprehensive property management and community living services provider in China, today announced the first annual results since its listing. In 2020, Shimao Services recorded operating revenue of RMB5,026 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 101.9%. Profit for the year surged 88.4% amounting to RMB724 million. Profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company stood at RMB693 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 80.2%. The Company has achieved overwhelming results compared with the previous guidelines. The Company's cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB5.83 billion in 2020, representing an increase of 586.2%. Adhere to the concept of win-win sharing, the Board proposed a final dividend of HK11 cents per share, and total dividend amounted to HKD 260 million, translating to a dividend payout ratio of 31%. During the review year, the Company's GFA under management and various operating indicators expanded rapidly and accomplished speedy development. (From left to right): Mr. Liu Yu, Assist...

SeaPRwire

Battle for young hearts and minds as extremists grow savvy online

aseanpr
1 minute

A 17-year-old detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in January last year had begun to walk down the path of radicalisation in 2017 when he was 15 years old, after imbibing Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) material online. Last December, a 16-year-old became the youngest detainee yet to be dealt with under the ISA, and the first to be enthralled by far-right extremist ideology. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire
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What is the Jobs Support Scheme?

elean
1 minute

SINGAPORE - Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said last Tuesday that wage subsidies under the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) will be extended by up to six months to help businesses that remain badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic to retain workers. Under the scheme, subsidies ranging from 10 per cent to 30 per cent will cover the wages of local workers from April to September to help them stay employed during the pandemic. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire
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Woman who claims to be ‘sovereign’ expected to face another charge under Women’s Charter

aseanpr
2 minutes

SINGAPORE - The woman who claimed she was a "sovereign" when told to wear a mask in public is expected to face another charge under the Women's Charter. Paramjeet Kaur, 41, currently faces six charges, four of which are for breaching Covid-19 regulations. The remaining two are for public nuisance and for failing to report her change of home address. Her case was heard again on Tuesday morning (Jan 26) but she was not in court as her presence was dispensed with. Defence lawyer Mohamed Arshad told District Judge Adam Nakhoda that his client could face another charge under the Women's Charter. It is not clear what it will be for. The judge adjourned the case on Tuesday and sent it to the community court. Kaur made headlines after she was caught on video claiming to be a "sovereign" during an argument with passers-by at Shunfu Mart near Upper Thomson Road in May last year. In the video, which went viral online, she is heard making claims that the law does not apply to her. "It means I have nothing to do with the police, it means I have no contract with the police," she said. "They have no say over me." She also claimed that she was "not a person", but was instead "we the people". Kaur ...

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Woman charged with illegal transfers involving funds from scam victims

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A woman who allegedly provided illegal transfers involving money from victims of online scams was hauled to court on Tuesday (Jan 19). Maslenie Mohamed Ramli, 38, was slapped with two charges under the Moneylenders Act and one charge under the Payment Services Act. According to court documents for the charge under the Payment Services Act, she allegedly provided domestic money transfer services and received $4,855 across 13 transactions to her POSB account in May last year for the purpose of carrying out transactions to a local bank account. She did not have a valid licence to do so and was not an exempt payment provider. The police said she claimed to have responded to a job advertisement online and was employed as an account personnel to perform the bank transfers. Maslenie was allegedly promised a daily commission for assisting in providing payment services using her bank account. The funds, however, were found to be proceeds of crime from victims of online scams. The two charges under the Moneylenders Act pertain to her allegedly assisting an unlicensed moneylender by providing her ATM cards to him in 2018. She told the court on Tuesday that she is disputing the cha...

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Twelve Cupcakes founders Daniel Ong, Jaime Teo charged with offences under Employment of Foreign Manpower Act

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Local radio DJ Daniel Ong Ming Yu and former model Jaime Teo Chai Lin were hauled to court on Tuesday (Dec 29) over offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act linked to pastry chain Twelve Cupcakes, which they founded. They allegedly allowed the chain to underpay the wages of their foreign employees between 2013 and 2016. There were also instances involving some workers who, for periods between 2012 and 2013, did not receive any income. The court heard that the staff purportedly did not receive their stipulated wages within a week of the end of the salary periods. One employee – Zhu Weihong – did not receive his monthly salary of $2,000 within a week of the last day of the month. This happened between Sept 8 and Nov 8, 2012. Ong, 45, and Teo, 43, are each facing 24 charges involving eight employees. The court heard that Teo intends to plead guilty to her charges on Jan 26 next year. Ong’s case has also been adjourned to that day. For each charge under the Act, an offender can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $10,000. The firm, under new owners Dhunseri Group, had pleaded guilty earlier this month to 15 charges of underpaying the employees in 2017 an...

SeaPRwire
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Activist Jolovan Wham will be charged on Monday

aseanpr
2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Civil rights activist Jolovan Wham, 40, will be charged in court on Monday (Nov 23) with two offences under the Public Order Act. Wham, who is the former executive director of migrant worker advocacy group Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home), had staged a protest on the steps of the former State Courts building on Dec 13, 2018. That location is within a prohibited area delineated in the Public Order (Prohibited Areas) Order 2009. Wham had also allegedly staged a protest on March 28 this year in the vicinity of Toa Payoh Central Community Club and Toa Payoh Neighbourhood Police Centre. No permit was granted for the protest. If found guilty of either offence, he can be fined up to $5,000, the police said in a statement on Saturday. Organising or taking part in a public assembly without a police permit in Singapore is illegal and constitutes an offence under the Public Order Act, the police stressed. "The Speakers' Corner is the proper avenue for Singaporeans to express their views on issues that concern them, and to allow Singaporeans to conduct assemblies without the need for a permit, subject to certain conditions being met," the police statement sa...