No Room for Slacking off and poor attitude Badminton players suspended By Lee Min Kok THE Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) has suspended two national shuttlers - women's singles player Zhang Beiwen and men's doubles specialist Hendra Wijaya - for three months. The move took effect from May 24. It comes barely three weeks ahead of the Li-Ning Singapore Open, the most prestigious badminton tournament on the local calendar this year, in which both players were entered. According to the SBA, world No. 31 Zhang had exhibited a poor attitude at training and tournaments and failed to comply with her coach's instructions on a number of occasions. The 19-year-old China-born player has been suspended from training, selection trials and all tournaments. She will receive no salary for the duration of the suspension. Hendra, 25, was punished because he was absent for three days without official approval earlier this month. He had apparently been warned by his coach for similar behaviour previously. However, the Indonesia-born shuttler, who with his brother Hendri Saputra form the Republic's top men's doubles pair, will still continue to train and receive half his salary. The SBA also said that both players' spots in the national team will be reviewed at the end of their suspensions. Zhang had exhibited a poor attitude at training and tournaments and failed to comply with her coach's instructions on a number of occasions. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE BADMINTON ASSOCIATION
S'pore SWFs ranked 2nd The Straits Times May 27, 2010 Republic second only to Norway in poll on SWFs from 19 jurisdictions By Gabriel Chen SINGAPORE'S sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) have been ranked second only to Norway's in transparency, governance and independence from the Government. That is according to a survey conducted by communications and research strategy consultants Hill & Knowlton and Penn Schoen Berland. The firms polled so-called 'elites' in seven markets. They were asked about their attitudes towards SWFs from 19 jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Norway. SWFs are government-owned investment funds that invest national savings or reserves in assets such as stocks and bonds. The Singapore SWFs are Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC). The survey found that SWFs from Russia, China and Libya were considered most likely to be motivated by political objectives, while Botswana, Singapore and Norway were least likely.
Mildly irreverent look at MM The Straits Times May 27, 2010 US journalist shares candid insights on MM's private thoughts and beliefs By Zakir Hussain AMERICAN journalist Tom Plate, a fan of Singapore and the way the country works, has written a book that gives a personal, mildly irreverent, insight into Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and his thinking. The book, Conversations With Lee Kuan Yew, was launched at the Shangri-La Hotel yesterday, with Mr Lee and some 40 guests present. Mr Lee, who spoke briefly off the cuff, hoped the 216-page book makes for interesting reading. 'I don't agree with all of it, but that is to be expected - the Western journalist's exaggeration of eccentricity,' he said. 'But on the whole, he got my point of view across,' he added. Mr Plate, 66, a veteran journalist and former journalism professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said he wanted to take a 'fresh, unique approach' that people will remember 50 years from now. Journalist Tom Plate presenting MM Lee with the original caricature for the cover of Conversations With Lee Kuan Yew, done by illustrator P.K. Cheng, at the book launch in Shangri-La Hotel yesterday. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
JB taxi rule change hailed The Straits Times May 27, 2010 It will save time, they say, but details unclear on fares, identification By Ng Kai Ling & Maria Almenoar 2 new S'pore-JB bus routes TWO of eight new bus routes between Singapore and Johor Baru will start by the third quarter of this year. The Transport Ministry said it was studying the routes proposed by local private bus operators. If approved, buses will ply Pasar Bakti and Larkin in Johor and Resorts World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, Newton Circus, Changi Airport and bus interchanges in Boon Lay and Yishun. Resorts World Sentosa, which gets about 15 coaches from Malaysia every day, welcomed the plans. It said that the new transport links will 'add to the ease of commuting... and benefit the tourism sectors on both sides of the border'. Currently, there are eight bus services serving Singapore and Johor. They are run by local companies SBS Transit, SMRT and Singapore-Johore Express Bus Service, as well as Malaysian company Handal Indah. They ply different routes between the two cities. The ministry said the routes will be opened to all bus operators. SMRT, which operates Service 950 from Woodlands Regional Interchange to Kotaraya II terminal in Johor, said it has no plans to add more cross-border services, while SBS said 'it is exploring the possibility of increasing the number of services we operate to Johor Baru'. NG KAI LING TAXI passengers headed for Johor Baru are happy that they will soon be able to hail any of 200 authorised cabs anywhere in Singapore for that ride across the border. Similarly, a taxi rider in JB will be able to hop into any of 200 licensed Malaysian cabs for the journey back to Singapore. New rules passed on Monday during the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat between the two countries' prime ministers should make commuting in taxis to and from Malaysia easier. They state that taxis can now pick up and drop off passengers anywhere in their domestic countries. But they still need to go to the respective pick-up points in the other country. Currently, taxis plying both sides of the border are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at just two places: Ban San Street near Bugis, and Pasar Bakti terminal in Johor. The new rules will save Madam Maureen Yin - a 55-year-old Malaysian nurse who lives in Yishun - a lot of time in travelling to Johor, she says. New rules passed on Monday during the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat between the two countries' prime ministers should make commuting in taxis to and from Malaysia easier. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
Smoking is biggest vice in Singapore-Pfizer survey Channel NewsAsia 26 May 2010 2114 hrs By Ben Tan SINGAPORE: Smoking is the biggest vice in Singapore, according to 26 per cent of 403 smokers and non-smokers polled here. The Pfizer poll also found that 84 per cent of smokers started the habit in their teens, some as young as 12. 96 per cent were aware of diseases related to smoking such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. However, knowing the potential health risks associated with smoking was not motivation enough for them to quit. Six out of 10 of the smokers polled had previously tried to quit smoking with 47 per cent worried about putting on weight after going cold turkey. Smokers polled rated cold turkey as the most effective method to quit smoking followed by the use of smoking cessation medication. According to Dr K C Ong, consultant respiratory physician at KC Ong Chest & Medical Clinic, most smokers find it difficult to quit smoking and remain smoke-free because of their dependence on nicotine and therefore need quit aids such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and medication to curb their withdrawal symptoms and increase the chance of successfully quitting smoking. Dr Ong recommends Varenicline as an effective smoking-cessation drug. Varenicline is the first of a new class of treatments designed to block receptors in the brain that are linked to addiction to nicotine, the major ingredient in cigarettes. It is different from other treatments such as gums or patches that deliver nicotine without the use of tobacco products. "The success rate of quitting the habit using Varenicline is roughly double the success rate of quitting with NRT and is four times the success rate of quitting without any aid," Dr Ong said. - CNA/vm
Roving exhibition introduced to teach people about Singapore's heritage Channel NewsAsia 26 May 2010 2207 hrs By Jessica Yeo SINGAPORE: Singaporeans will be treated to a travelling exhibition that will enable them to look at the country's monuments in a different light. Dubbed "Of Monuments and Memories", this exhibition by the Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) showcases 27 national monuments portrayed through the camera. The images are taken by avid photographer Kwek Leng Joo and his team. The exhibition hopes to re-introduce iconic and lesser known monuments to help people better appreciate Singapore's heritage. It also marked the first installation of a education and outreach series that the Board is working on. Members of the public can catch the exhibition at schools, shopping centres and the heartlands. The exhibition runs till 19 September. - CNA/fa Visitors outside Sri Mariamman Temple (file pic).
Microsoft CEO visits Ngee Ann Secondary Channel NewsAsia 26 May 2010 1938 hrs By May Wong SINGAPORE: Students at Ngee Ann Secondary got a treat when Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer visited the school in Tampines on Wednesday. In Singapore for a day, Mr Ballmer wanted to see how the school was making innovative use of cloud computing technologies for educational development. Ngee Ann Secondary School, an example of a Living Lab in Singapore, uses online software to improve teaching and learning - something that has caught the attention of software giant Microsoft. Ngee Ann Secondary is a Microsoft Pathfinder School, part of the company's global partners in learning initiative. With a software using Windows Live Messenger platform, students have been able to learn and retain information better. The programme, developed by Singapore-based ACP Computer Training and Consultancy, is the world's first multi-disciplinary online peer tutor. Using cloud computing technologies, the school's teachers are also able to conduct more personalized classes for their students. Cloud computing is where services and data are stored online and users access them via the internet, without having to install or maintain them on their own servers. - CNA/fa Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer
Romanian officials on Ionescu case to visit S'pore from May 30-Jun 2 Channel NewsAsia 26 May 2010 2245 hrs By S Ramesh SINGAPORE : The visit by a Romanian team to interview witnesses related to former diplomat Silviu Ionescu's case will now take place from May 30 to June 2. The team from the Joint Technical Working Group had planned to be here from Wednesday to Saturday (May 26-29). However, Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania, Anil Kumar Nayar, on Monday informed Romanian Foreign Ministry's Secretary of State Doru Costea that as Friday is a public holiday in Singapore, the Romanian officials would only have one working day to carry out their interviews. A spokesman from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said Singapore welcomes the visit. Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar had spoken with Mr Costea on May 24 and informed him that Singapore was ready to accommodate the visit by the Romanian officials.
S'pore, Korea collaborate to promote travel between S'pore & Busan Channel NewsAsia 26 May 2010 1708 hrs SINGAPORE : The Changi Airport Group (CAG), the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) are collaborating to promote outbound and inbound traffic between Singapore and Busan in South Korea. A delegation of 18 members of Singapore's travel trade - comprising key tourism partners NATAS, inbound travel agents, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa - are in Busan on a 5-day visit to establish relations with their South Korean counterparts. This joint initiative marks the start of an exchange platform for the travel trade partners from Busan and Singapore, aimed at boosting tourism between both destinations. KTO and STB will undertake the marketing and promotion of Busan and Singapore respectively, and facilitate exchange between travel agents, ground operators and attractions in each destination. Busan is Korea's second largest city after Seoul, but it is a relatively new and undiscovered destination for the Singapore market. South Korea has been among Singapore's top 12 visitor source markets for the past 10 years, with an annual average of more than 300,000 visitors from South Korea.
Lessons from the downturn TODAY 05:55 AM May 27, 2010 by S Ramesh rameshs@mediacorp.com.sg SINGAPORE - The lessons from Singapore's experience in battling the economic downturn will be shared internationally. Leaders from the labour movement, employers federation and Manpower Ministry will take these lessons to the International Labour Organisation's annual meeting in Geneva next month. Three countries - representing Asia, Europe and Africa - have been invited, with Singapore representing Asia, said Labour chief Lim Swee Say at a book launch by the United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) yesterday. With Singapore's electronics sector being one of the hardest hit during the recent economic downturn, the UWEEI wants to share its experiences in dealing with the situation with others. Its book Managing the Downturn in Singapore: Union-Management Collaboration in the Electronics Sector offers insights on how six companies helped to save jobs. For example, one company chief even flew to Germany with a case to stave off retrenchment at its Singapore branch. In his message in the book, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also chairman of the Council of Advisors to UWEEI, says he looks forward to UWEEI's participation in developing benchmarks to increase productivity in the electronics sector. Speaking at a separate event yesterday, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said Singapore's efforts to tackle the downturn was also acknowledged by the National Wages Council, which urged companies which can give pay rises, to do so in a sustainable manner. "We also encourage companies to consider a flexible wage system ... As we emerge from the recession, as companies introduce wage increases, we want to encourage companies and workers to consider putting more into the monthly variable component (MVC)." Companies which have introduced the MVC will find it easier to respond to any downturn, Mr Gan added.
S'pore, M'sia to benefit from development of KTMB land Channel NewsAsia 27 May 2010 2006 hrs SINGAPORE : The development of KTMB-owned land in Singapore will bring economic benefits to both Singapore and Malaysia, said the managing director of Khazanah Nasional. Azman Mokhtar, who heads the Malaysian investment company, said the valuation of the properties has begun and will be completed within a month. Mr Azman was speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. He added that Khazanah and Singapore investment company, Temasek Holdings, had already met and a working group had been set up. Malaysia announced its decision to give up its railway land in Singapore during a meeting of their two leaders on Monday. The two prime ministers agreed that Khazanah and Temasek would jointly develop the land with equity share of 60-40 in a joint company to be set up called MS Pte Ltd. - CNA /ls Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
May 29, 2010 IN PICTURES Miss Singapore Universe A NEW Miss Singapore Universe was crowned on Friday night at the Shangri-La Hotel. Accounts executive Tania Lim, 22, beat hot favourite Annabel Tan, 25, who came in second. A former New Paper New Face finalist, Raine Ng, 23, won third place. From left: Runner-up Annabel Tan, Winner Tania Lim, and 2nd runner-up, Raine Ng. -- ST PHOTO: AIDAH RAUF
Oil spill hits Chek Jawa May 29, 2010 It has also reached south-eastern tip of Johor, say reports By Grace Chua OIL from Tuesday's spill has hit two more parts of Singapore's shores, including the Chek Jawa wetlands on Pulau Ubin - home to unique ecosystems and the last refuge of several plants and animals once common in the country. The latest oil-slicked areas are north of the spill and other previously affected parts of East Coast Park, suggesting that tides and winds are pushing the slick towards Singapore's north-east. A 700m stretch of Changi Beach was also affected, between Carpark 6 and Carpark 7, and is now closed to swimmers. According to Malaysian press reports yesterday, the oil had also reached Teluk Ramunia on the south-eastern tip of Johor. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it was working with its Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts to address the spill, which occurred after the oil tanker MT Bunga Kelana 3, laden with 62,000 tonnes of crude oil, collided with the bulk carrier MVWaily early on Tuesday morning, 13km off Changi East. Some 2,500 tonnes of oil leaked into the water, causing a 4 sq km slick as the tanker moved to anchor in a safe place. The latest oil-slicked areas are north of the spill and other previously affected parts of East Coast Park, suggesting that tides and winds are pushing the slick towards Singapore's north-east. -- ST PHOTO: BRYAN VAN DER BEEK
Inside Tanjong Pagar station The Straits Times May 30, 2010 Long-time businesses there may end with station's impending move to Woodlands By Melissa Pang HIS teh tarik and teh halia are rich and creamy with just the right amount of milk and, as one customer put it, 'cannot be found anywhere outside'. Every day, Mr Masudul Hasan, 63, sees a steady stream of customers at his drinks stall at the M. Hasan Railway Station Canteen in the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. But the days are numbered for him and the other tenants at the 78-year-old station. Last Monday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak announced that the Malayan Railway (KTM) station in Keppel Road will move to Woodlands by July next year. The move marks the resolution of a 20-year land dispute between the two countries. It also spells the possible end of businesses at the station, including Mr Masudul's. Last Monday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak announced that the Malayan Railway (KTM) station in Keppel Road will move to Woodlands by July next year. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Table Tennis: Singapore beat reigning champs China in World Cup Channel NewsAsia 30 May 2010 2026 hrs (Also posted in: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/for...apore-beat-reigning-champs-China-in-World-Cup ) MOSCOW: Singapore's trio Feng Tianwei, Wang Yuegu and Sun Bei Bei rocked the sports world in Moscow when they beat reigning champions and world No 1 China 3-1 in the World Team Table Tennis Championships. It was sweet revenge for the Singapore women's team, ranked No 2 in the world, after they lost in the 2008 final and the Olympic final to the Chinese. China, powerhouses in the men's and women's game for so long, were left stunned by a confident display from the Singapore women. Feng, Singapore's world No 2, was the star of the team, after she beat China's world No 4, Ding Ning, in the first singles, before coming back to the table to clinch the winning point 3-2 against women's No 1, 19-year-old Liu Shiwen. Earlier, Wang stunned Liu in the second singles, while Sun fell to Guo Yan, setting up Feng's epic finale as the Singapore women became the 2010 world table tennis champions. Results: Singapore bt China 3-1 Feng Tianwei (SIN) bt Ding Ning (CHN) 3-2 (8-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9) Wang Yuegu (SIN) bt Liu Shiwen (CHN) 3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 12-10) Guo Yan (CHN) bt Sun Bei Bei (SIN) 3-1 (6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6) Feng Tianwei (SIN) bt Liu Shiwen (CHN) 3-2 (11-7, 14-16, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7)
Over 300 children put up international performance at ION Orchard Channel NewsAsia 29 May 2010 2208 hrs SINGAPORE : It is not just the Great Singapore Sale taking centre stage at the Orchard Road shopping belt. More than 300 children from various countries were also there on Saturday evening for an international performance at ION Orchard. The Great Eastern International Kids Performing Festival celebrates performing arts for the youth. The kids hail from countries like Germany, Pakistan and Israel. From now till June 27, they will be staging plays, including the "Emperor's New Clothes". - CNA/ms
Romanian officials arrive The Straits Times May 30, 2010 By Teh Joo Lin TWO Romanian officials flew into Singapore on Sunday afternoon to build their case against suspended diplomat Silviu Ionescu, who is denying his role in a hit-and-run accident here on Dec 15. The senior level prosecutor and police officer were met at Changi Airport's Terminal2 at about 4pm by Romania's acting charge d'affaires here, Mr Alex Coseru. Neither man spoke to The Straits Times as they walked from the arrival hall to the embassy car waiting outside. The visit by the officials, who will link up with their counterparts from Singapore to form a working group, is expected to deepen Romania's investigations into the involvement of Ionescu in the double hit-and-run case. This is important because the former charge d'affaires has refused to return to Singapore to face charges, after a Coroner's Court found him responsible for hitting three pedestrians in Bukit Panjang Road on Dec 15. One of them later died, while the other two were injured. As neither country has an extradition treaty with the other, the Romanian government could not compel Ionescu, 50, to return.
Singapore table tennis on course TODAY 05:55 AM May 29, 2010 Germany upset Hong Kong to set up semi-final clash with Feng and Co by Ian De Cotta SINGAPORE - Hungary proved a mere distraction for the Singapore women's table tennis team on Friday, as they signalled their intentions at the Liebherr World Team Championships in Moscow. The 2008 Olympic silver medallists sent the Hungarians packing with a 3-0 rout, booking their place in Saturday's semi-finals, where they will face Germany, who produced a shock 3-1 win over fifth seeds Hong Kong. Singapore, the world No 2 behind China, beat the Germans 3-0 in a group match on Wednesday and are huge favourites to make the final. Defending champions China were playing the Netherlands at press time, along with Japan and South Korea. The Chinese are big favourites of course, and the tournament is all set up for a repeat of the 2008 final, when China beat Singapore. Eddy Tay, the Singapore Table Tennis Association's high performance manager, warned that the Germans delivered an improved performance on Friday and would be tough in the last four. Speaking to MediaCorp over the phone from Moscow, Tay said: "Hong Kong paid the price today because they were too confident. "Germany's Wu Jiaduo is especially dangerous and we need to watch out for her. "I am not going to say the final is assured and will only comment if we beat them." Tay felt Singapore played well against Hungary and Wang Yuegu's sterling performance in the opening match against Krisztina Toth paved the way for world No 2 Feng Tianwei and Sun Bei Bei to sweep past their respective opponents. Said Tay: "They needed to rest but I will be meeting them later to talk about our game against Germany. "We are definitely delighted with our win today, but we need to take each game at a time. "There is always the danger we might get carried away with too much confidence and it is something we will talk about." Talk of pulling off an upset against China in Sunday's final was quickly brushed aside by Tay. But he said: "The Chinese are just too good at the moment, but we will certainly put up a fight against them, if we do meet in the final."
