Singapore Also Can

Singapore says terror attacks planned on oil tankers

Channel NewsAsia
04 March 2010 1644 hrs

SINGAPORE - An unidentified terrorist group is planning attacks against oil tankers in the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, a shipping association said Thursday.

The Singapore Shipping Association said it had received an advisory from the Singapore Navy Information Fusion Centre about "an indication that a terrorist group is planning attacks on oil tankers in the Malacca Strait."

It said "this does not preclude possible attacks on other large vessels with dangerous cargo."

"The terrorists' intent is probably to achieve widespread publicity and showcase that it remains a viable group," the navy said in its advisory.

It reminded shipping operators that the militants could use smaller vessels such as dinghies and speedboats to attack oil tankers.

Pirates and robbers have also used small fishing vessels to board ships during previous attacks in the Malacca Strait.

More than 30 per cent of world trade and half the world's oil shipments pass through the strait, which is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

The navy recommended that ships should "strengthen their onboard security measures and to adopt community reporting to increase awareness and strengthen the safety of all seafarers," according to the association.

One of the plots foiled by Singapore authorities was a plan by Islamic militants to hijack an airliner in Bangkok and crash it into Changi airport in 2001 following the September 11 attacks that year in the United States.

Singapore has also arrested several militants involved in a plot to bomb the US embassy and other targets in the city-state.


An armed marine policeman stands guard on the deck of his Malaysian patrol boat in the Malacca Strait (file picture)

 

Govt to spend S$100m over 5 years to tackle challenges on ageing

Channel NewsAsia
04 March 2010 2132 hrs

By Hoe Yeen Nie/Ting Kheng Siong,

SINGAPORE: The government will be pumping in S$100 million over the next five years to tackle the problems of an ageing population.

The bulk of it will go towards taking care of the physical, social and emotional needs of the elderly and avert the social isolation of the elderly.

Walking has been difficult for 82-year-old Fong Foon Yee since she fractured her hip in 2008. A year later, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer.

But she's been able to get by, thanks to her friend, Lim Ah Lek. Madam Lim cooks for her and helps her with her groceries.

For this, Madam Lim was given a Good Neighbour Award by Hong Kah Division in 2009.

But she said that she was just returning a kind deed.

Madam Lim added: "She came to visit me when I had an operation. It was in the morning and she was there that afternoon. She's so old yet, she went to the hospital. Now she needs help. I must think of her help in the past."

They're now constant companions but there are many others who have no one to turn to.

And numbers show those who are isolated get depressed more easily.

According to the Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports, those who live alone and have weak social networks have a 25 per cent chance of suffering from depression while those who have friends and family to rely on, have a nine per cent chance.

With more senior citizens living alone, the government wants to ensure that there are enough community networks to support them.

Figures from the Department of Statistics show that the number of senior citizens aged above 65 living on their own went up from about 15,000 in 2000 to 22,000 in 2005.

Plans include S$77 million to expand its Wellness Programme which organises social activities and health screenings.

This will mean tripling its presence from the current 12 sites. Another 25 will be set up in constituencies from this year.

S$20 million will also be pumped into a fund to support active lifestyles and lifelong learning among the elderly.

Money will be injected over five years.

The fund, called the Active Ageing Capability Fund will replace the current Golden Opportunities (GO!) Fund, and will be administered by the Council for Third Age (C3A).

Announcing this in Parliament on Thursday, the Minister-in-Charge of Ageing Issues said he wants to give the elderly more options on how to live their lives.

He called this the "Active Ageing Model" after a similar practice in Australia.

Minister-in-Charge for Ageing Issues Lim Boon Heng said: "Our approach is to enable people to take care of themselves for as long as possible. And for those who need support to enable them to do as much as possible themselves."

And the Centre for Enabled Living aims to do just that with a new S$3 million fund infusion.

Among other plans, it will partner voluntary welfare groups to help the elderly and family members work out care arrangements to avoid checking into a nursing home prematurely.

 

Productivity push is govt's commitment to Singapore's future: Tharman

Channel NewsAsia
04 March 2010 1748 hrs

By Hoe Yeen Nie,

• Singapore Budget 2010

SINGAPORE : Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has said the push for greater productivity will only yield results in the long term, and urged Singaporeans to play their part.

Wrapping up the Budget debate on Thursday, he said the Budget represents a major commitment to Singapore's growth.

In the past week, some MPs had argued that low-income families had been hurt by what they saw as a "growth at all costs" policy - a criticism which the Finance Minister said is "wrong and misleading".

Mr Tharman said: "Our growth strategy in the past decade was not wrong-headed. It illustrates the very real trade-offs we face in practice when deciding whether to allow the economy to grow rapidly and above its potential for a period."

He said the economy was allowed to expand rapidly in the second half of the decade, because growth in the first half had been weak. This meant average incomes and employment could go up, but it could only be done by allowing businesses to bring in more foreign workers.

But the government knows this is not a sustainable solution, because Mr Tharman said it will reduce the incentive for employers to upgrade their operations and raise productivity levels. An indiscriminate increase in the foreign worker population would also put pressure on Singapore's social and physical limits.

That is why the government is getting companies to reduce their dependence on cheap labour, by raising levy rates.

Mr Tharman said the move is not aimed at fattening government coffers. Instead, the money will be used on schemes to help companies boost productivity.

The Finance Minister said: "It is not like one of those slimming adverts where on the left hand side, it is someone who is sort of a little larger than normal, and then the right hand side is much slimmer. We are slim all the way. Because I do not take the money in and keep it, without giving it out."

On concerns over rising inequality, Mr Tharman said the solution is not slower growth, as this will have the hardest impact on those at the bottom.

He said that slowing down the economy will lead to job losses and falling incomes for those at the lower end of the workforce; while at the top end, those with the talent and entrepreneurial ability will move to cities where opportunities are.

Instead, the approach must be to first grow the economy, by allowing those with higher skills and entrepreneurial abilities to do well.

Mr Tharman said: "Our ultimate aim, as MPs Josephine Teo, Muhammad Faishal, Ong Ah Heng and several others recognised, is to raise the incomes and sense of self-worth of our citizens, including those at the lower end of the income ladder.

"In order to achieve this, we have to make a sustained effort to grow skills, to innovate and to raise productivity. We must also ensure that all Singaporeans are included in growth and, as MP Jessica Tan put it, feel that they have a fair chance of success and that they can achieve more for themselves and their families through their own efforts, helped by the government."

He said this will be a long-term process and he urged Singaporeans to play their part in the productivity push.

 

2 taxi drivers saw ex-Romanian diplomat in same area where car was found

Channel NewsAsia
04 March 2010 2118 hrs

By Lynda Hong,

SINGAPORE: Two cabbies said they saw Romania's former Charge d'affaires to Singapore, Dr Silviu Ionescu, in the vicinity of Sungei Kadut Avenue in the early hours of 15 December 2009.

That's where the said stolen Romanian Embassy car which was involved in a hit-and-run accident was later found.

The coroner's inquiry also saw one of the surviving victims testify on Thursday.

Life hasn't been the same for Mr Bong Hwee Ha ever since he was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident. His friend, 30-year-old Tong Kok Wai died.

At the coroner's inquiry, Mr Bong recounted what happened when they were crossing the road at the junction of Bukit Panjang and Bangkit Roads.

Meanwhile, cabbie Mohd Salihen Wahab said he saw Dr Ionescu walking towards him near Sungei Kadut Avenue at around 3.20am, some 10 minutes after the accident.

He said Dr Ionescu was about three metres away from a stationary black car at the front gate of a building.

He said he found it "unusual" to see a well-dressed man at a deserted road in the wee hours of the morning.

Cabbie Neo Hock Beng said Dr Ionescu hailed his taxi at the junction of Woodlands Road and Sungei Kadut Avenue at around 3.30am.

And during the trip to Grange Heights Condominium in River Valley, he heard Dr Ionescu calling the police to report his missing car.

Mr Neo suspected his passenger was in trouble and printed a receipt which was presented in court.

The inquiry continues on Friday

 

Schools plan to devote 20% of curriculum to use ICT to support learning

Channel NewsAsia
04 March 2010 1629 hrs

By Jeremy Koh,

SINGAPORE : Over the next five years, schools will progressively devote at least 20 per cent of their curriculum to use information and communication technologies (ICT) to support learning.

They will also train cyber wellness student ambassadors to teach fellow students how to use the net safely.

These are the key thrusts of the Education Ministry's third ICT Masterplan, which aims to prepare students for the 21st century workplace.

North Vista Primary School has been using SMART boards since 2008 to teach subjects like English, Science and Mathematics.

Suriana Mohamed, teacher, North Vista Primary School, said: "Because this is a multi-sensory tool, the kids will definitely be excited to come to class, to learn. "

But as ICT-enabled learning becomes more commonplace in schools, the Education Ministry is also determined to ensure that students are discerning and responsible users.

And so one key support structure is to have a trained teacher in every school to implement cyber wellness programmes.

S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Education, said: "By the end of this year, we would have trained cyber wellness student ambassadors in 50 per cent of our schools and by 2013, we will have such student ambassadors in every school."

While schools will continue to be the main driver of ICT innovations, the Education Ministry will work alongside them to develop lessons.

It will also link schools with institutes of higher learning and industry partners to test-bed emerging technologies for learning.

In addition, there will be a new online platform called ICT Connection, which will engage teachers on the effective integration of ICT.

Mr Iswaran said: "As we make changes to the way we teach, we are also stepping up our efforts to change the way we assess learning. Over the next two years, we will explore, develop and conduct trials of new assessment approaches which are applicable to 21st century skills."

The Education Ministry will also develop a group of expert practitioners called ICT mentors who will guide teachers on the effective use of ICT for learning and teaching.

By 2013, the Ministry expects to have an average of four trained ICT mentors in every school

 

Lifting ban on chewing gum sale could result in return of gum litter problem

Channel NewsAsia
04 March 2010 1617 hrs

By Imelda Saad,

SINGAPORE: The ban on the sale of chewing gum in Singapore stays as the government is concerned that lifting the ban could see a return of the problem of gum litter.

Parliamentary Secretary for National Development Dr Maliki Osman said this in response to a question on the appropriate time to do away with the ban.

Dr Maliki said gum litter has not been a significant problem since the ban took effect in 1992 but is worried that this may change if the ban is lifted.

He explained: "We remain concerned that lifting the ban on the sale of chewing gum could result in chewing gum litter resurfacing as a problem and undermine our ongoing efforts to curb littering.

“As the rationale for the imposition of the ban is still valid at present, the government's position is that the ban should remain.”

The government decided to impose a complete ban on the sale of chewing gum in 1992 due to problems arising from the indiscriminate disposal of gum litter such as difficulty and costs incurred in removing gum litter from public places, vandalism and service disruptions caused by gum being stuck between the doors of MRT trains.

The government made an exception in 2004 for the sale of chewing gum with therapeutic value as defined under the Medicines Act. These include those that help smokers quit as well as products of dental hygiene.

 

Foreign worker levy changes aim to motivate companies to increase productivity

Channel NewsAsia
04 March 2010 1723 hrs

By Imelda Saad,

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong has defended moves to raise the foreign worker levy to moderate the growth of such workers.

Mr Gan told Parliament that the levy changes are to ensure balanced economic growth and prevent over-reliance on foreign manpower.

The decision to raise foreign worker levies got much airing in Parliament this week. MPs were concerned with the impact on small businesses and sectors which already find it hard to hire locals.

One suggestion that fuelled the debate came from opposition MP Low Thia Khiang.

He said: “Scrap the foreign worker levy and just use the dependency ratio to calibrate foreign worker numbers.”

This was shot down.

Mr Gan explained: "If we only have a Dependency Ratio system with no levy, it would not make much of a difference to a company whether it hires one foreign worker or 10 foreign workers.

“In the end, most companies may well decide to hire as many foreign workers as they can up to the limit of their Dependency Ratios. This will be contrary to our objective to moderate demand and facilitate efficient allocation of foreign manpower resources."

Mr Gan said the government is not in the position to decide which industries should have more foreign workers.

He added: "For example, how do we determine whether the pharmaceutical industry requires more or fewer foreign workers than say, the Food Manufacturing industry? Even within the same industry, Food & Beverage, for example - how do we decide whether a coffee shop requires more or fewer foreign workers than, say, a French restaurant?

“Instead of the government making decisions on the number of foreign workers in each industry and business, we should leave it to market forces to do that through a pricing mechanism.”

On concerns that companies may not be able to find enough locals to take over the jobs of foreign workers, Mr Gan said the levy changes aim to motivate companies to increase productivity, with fewer workers.

Mr Gan said: "Let me borrow a phrase from my colleague Mr Lim Swee Say with - same same input and same same output, productivity will remain same same with no real improvements.

“Companies should consider how they can streamline business processes, improve their products and services, explore new higher value markets and upgrade the skills of their workforce. This way, they will see real productivity gains."

And because of the three-year phased period of increments, companies will have time to adjust.

"We need to get companies to start thinking about improving their productivity and take steps to reduce their dependency on foreign manpower now so that they have enough time to realise productivity gains. The longer we delay, the more painful the adjustments will be later," said Mr Gan.

The Manpower Minister acknowledged that the system is not perfect but stressed that it is practical and has worked relatively well so far.

He noted that companies will find it a challenge to adjust but for those who make the effort, they will be in a stronger position to seize opportunities and be more competitive in the long run.

Mr Gan Kim Yong

 

Sure but you cannot conclude that there will not be any success arising from this approach. Remember the case has barely started and there will be more evidence surfacing.

Your remarks below do not help in the matter and your uncomplimentary choice of words certainly will not be the type used by our Foreign Minister!

"So shaming the diplomat, and indirectly the Romania government, by splashing Singapore's version of the injustice is what we are seeing now."

 

You must be naive to suggest that the press should not be publicising the case when it is such a hot topic that involved a diplomat and the killing of an innocent young man. And the case is being heard in court now.

Foreigners have often accused Singapore of restricting press freedom and here you are advocating that the news should be suppressed! Contradiction isn't it?

Incidentally, you kept repeating "what George Yeo has said" but did not actually give a reference as to what he has said. How do I know whether your version is correct, or you have misunderstood what he has said?

If you are not able to quote exactly what he has said, give us the reference to the link, so that we can make up our own minds. I don't want you to misquote him.

 

Surely you can give us a proper reference specific to your post here since it was you who brought up the matter.

 

Universal Studios Singapore opens to public from Mar 18

Channel NewsAsia
05 March 2010 1213 hrs

By Mustafa Shafawi,

SINGAPORE: Universal Studios Singapore in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) will be open to the public from March 18 at 8.28am.

But the park's first guests will be staff of RWS, who will be able to enjoy the rides from March 13 with their families.

Universal Studios Singapore will bring to life the best movie-themed attractions packed within seven zones.

RWS said it is possible that certain attractions may become temporarily unavailable during the preview phase, as Universal Studios Singapore continues its technical and creative adjustments.

Ticket prices will then be partially rebated with S$15 worth of shopping and dining vouchers valid for use at the theme park.

Robin Goh, assistant director for Communication at RWS, said that during the soft opening period, there will be limits on the number of guests.

"This is to ensure there will be a phased run in of the operations within the opening of the park gradually, and this number will be increased in time. When we are fully operational, we are expecting 4.5 million visitors to Universal Studios alone a year," Mr Goh said.

Ticket sales will begin at 9am on March 10. They can be made online, via phone bookings and at the ticket booths at the theme park.

Singaporeans and Permanent Residents holding onto DBS credit cards can expect S$6 off regular ticket prices.


The world's first Far Far Away Castle, located in Universal Studios Singapore (©2009 Resorts World Sentosa)

 

Alert levels raised in response to warnings of terror attacks in Malacca Strait

Channel NewsAsia
05 March 2010 1422 hrs

By Imelda Saad,


SINGAPORE: Singapore's Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said all alert levels have been raised for the shipping community as well as in security measures in Singapore.

He was responding to a question in Parliament about the recent security alert in the Malacca Strait issued by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

On Thursday, the RSN issued an alert saying it received indications that a terror group is planning attacks on oil tankers in the narrow waterway between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Mr Wong said: "As a result, the various security agencies have been working very closely with one another, including the RSN and also our foreign liaison partners. We are also working very closely with the shipping community and the Singapore Shippers Association has put out an alert to all its members."

Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said the RSN took action - stepping up the frequency of patrols around Singapore waters.

The Maritime Security Task Force has also been coordinating a whole-of-government response with agencies such as the Police Coast Guard and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Mr Teo said: "As this issue illustrates, threats to maritime security continue to be real and immediate. Countering this threat requires a multiplicity of effort - by governments acting alone and in cooperation with one another.

"In our immediate region, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have been conducting coordinated patrols to enhance the security of the Malacca Strait. Through these Malacca Strait patrols, the littoral states have continued to work together to combat maritime threats in this important body of water."

For the early detection of maritime threats and to coordinate response, Singapore has also set up the Information Fusion Centre at the Changi Command and Control Centre.

Mr Teo said this will "help to further enhance Singapore's position as a maritime security hub".

The centre has been purpose-built to collate and analyse information shared among an international network of partners, to facilitate timely and effective responses to maritime threats.

So far, six countries have stationed liaison officers at the centre. Mr Teo said more countries are expected to do so in the coming months.

Beyond threats at sea, the terror threat remains very real for Singapore. Mr Wong said that is because the appeal of extremist and terrorist ideology is very much alive. Terrorist tradecraft and methods are also evolving.

So Singapore has undertaken measures to harden its security, from the land checkpoints to the seas. High-risk targets such as the integrated resorts (IRs) have also been hardened.

To enhance response capacity for the IRs, the Marina Bay Neighbourhood Police Centre is already operational. The Fire Station will be operational next year.

However, Mr Wong stressed that the most important asset is still people. That is where initiatives like the Community Engagement Programme to strengthen the community's crisis response come into play.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has piloted a Threat-Oriented Passenger Screening Integrated System (TOPSIS) to train non-security communities, such as airport check-in counter staff to identify suspicious passengers.


Wong Kan Seng

 

CCTVs show chilling scenes of hit-and-run accidents

TODAY
05 March 2010 0934 hrs (SST)

By Teo Xuanwei

SINGAPORE : In less than one minute, he ran two red lights.

And at both junctions, the driver of the black car - an Audi A6 belonging to the Romanian Embassy here - sped off immediately after hitting three victims in the accidents which happened in the early hours of December 15 last year.

Details of how the second accident happened at around 3.10am that day surfaced at the coroner's inquiry into the death of Malaysian Tong Kok Wai when a survivor, Mr Muhammad Haris Abu Talib, 18, took the stand.

The court heard that Mr Muhammad Haris, his brother and two friends heard loud screeching when they were at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bukit Panjang Ring Road.

But with trees blocking their view, the 18-year-old ITE student said they could not see the cause. When the traffic lights turned in their favour, they started crossing the road. It was then that Mr Muhammad Haris was hit.

The chilling footage captured by a closed-circuit television installed at the junction showed a black car hurtling towards them before crashing into Mr Muhammad Haris. Although the car sent Mr Muhammad Haris sprawling for over 10 metres, the driver manoeuvred around him and sped off on Bukit Panjang Road.

Two minutes later, cameras at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Woodlands Road captured a car similar to the accident vehicle turning right into Woodlands Road.


Cabbies testify

The identity of the driver of the black car has not been determined so far. But evidence from a security guard at Hillcrest Arcadia showed that former diplomat Dr Silviu Ionescu had driven a car bearing registration number S3401CD into the condominium at 2.42am that same night. The licence plate number was that of the embassy's black Audi A6.

Dr Ionescu, 49, was taking Korean opera singer Jeong Ae Ree home after a night out. According to records, he left in the same car at 2.57am, said Mr Tamilarasan Gnanasundaram, the security guard.

The testimony of two taxi drivers yesterday also revealed that Dr Ionescu was in the Sungei Kadut area after 3am that day.

Cabby Mohd Salihen Wahab testified that he saw a man, whom he later identified from newspaper photos to be Dr Ionescu, at around 3.20am along Sungei Kadut Avenue. He added that he spotted Dr Ionescu close to an embassy car with a shattered windscreen.

The former diplomat had reported the embassy's car missing at 3.47am that day. The damaged car was later found along Sungei Kadut Avenue.

At 3.33am, Dr Ionescu hopped onto Mr Neo Hock Beng's taxi at the junction of Woodlands Road and Sungei Kadut Avenue. While he was in the cab, Dr Ionescu told someone over his mobile phone that his car was missing, said Mr Neo.

The journey ended at 4.05am when they reached Grange Heights condominium. Mr Neo had printed a copy of the receipt for that trip because he "had a feeling that this passenger was having some trouble".

 

There's no need to do it the way you suggested. Just reproduce it here or give me the link. As simple as that.

I'm sure there are others who are interested in this case and what our ministers has said and be able to form their own conclusions. This is for everybody's benefit.

 

Greater differentiation between Singapore Citizen & PR for public housing

Channel NewsAsia
05 March 2010 2025 hrs


By Joanne Chan/Hoe Yeen Nie,

SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced in Parliament on Friday changes in housing policy to promote citizenship in HDB households and encourage social integration.

To promote citizenship and reinforce the privilege that comes with it, households comprising one Singapore Citizen and one Permanent Resident (PR) will have their CPF Housing Grant reduced by S$10,000 when buying a resale flat. This will also apply to Design, Build and Sell Scheme flats and Executive Condominiums.

Should such households opt for a new flat, they will have to pay a 10,000-dollar premium on top of HDB's selling price.

Previously, PRs married to Singapore Citizens enjoyed the same subsidies as Singaporean couples. However, HDB will restore the S$10,000 should the PR family member take up citizenship, or if the couple has a child who is Singaporean.

Furthermore, in Parliament on Friday, Members of Parliament (MPs) aired concerns over PR enclaves.

Christopher de Souza, MP, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC said: "It is natural that people feel comfortable with their own kind, from similar backgrounds and culture. However, this could lead to a situation where integration within the Singaporean community is delayed or hampered."

In response, Mr Mah said on top of fulfilling ethnic quotas under the Ethnic Integration Policy, non-Malaysian PRs will be subject to an additional quota, at 8 per cent at the block level, and 5 per cent at the neighbourhood level. HDB said Malaysian PRs are excluded because of close historical and cultural links.

Mr Mah said: "PR enclaves are not a problem today, but as always, we try to look ahead. And if we see the trend, we should put precautionary measures in place early. Otherwise, it may be too late when the problem is already there, and you have to unravel the problem later.

"It is important that PRs integrate well in our local communities as they are long-term residents of Singapore."

The Ethnic Integration Policy will also be revised for Indians and other ethnic races living in HDB estates. At the neighbourhood level, their quota will go up from 10 per cent to 12 per cent. At the block level, it will be 15 per cent from the current 13 per cent.

There will be no change to the ethnic quotas for Chinese and Malays. For Chinese, it is 84 per cent at the neighbourhood level and 87 per cent at the block level. For Malays, it is 22 per cent at the neighbourhood level and 25 per cent at the block level.


Mah Bow Tan