Singapore Also Can

SAF overcomes land, airspace training constraints by training in a dozen countries

Channel NewsAsia
05 March 2010 1556 hrs

By S.Ramesh,

The Singapore Armed Forces trains in about a dozen countries around the world.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said this has enabled it to overcome the land and airspace constraints and to address the SAF's training needs.

Giving an update on SAF's defence ties, Mr Teo told Parliament that Singapore's multilateral engagements are supported by an extensive web of bilateral defence relationships.

In the region, defence ties with Malaysia and Indonesia are important and longstanding.

The SAF and Malaysian Armed Forces engage in regular interactions including bilateral exercises, high-level visits and professional exchanges.

Both armed forces also collaborate closely in the Malacca Strait Patrols and the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

"All these all these interactions have further enhanced our friendly bilateral defence ties with Malaysia," Mr Teo said.

With Indonesia, there are regular and wide-ranging interactions between the SAF and the Indonesian National Defence Forces.

These include longstanding exercises between the two armies, air forces and navies, as well as bilateral meetings, the cross-attendance of courses and other professional exchanges.

The two armed forces also cooperate closely in maritime patrols and maritime information sharing.

With Brunei and Thailand, and increasingly with Vietnam, the SAF also enjoys especially close defence relations while defence ties with key players in the Asia-Pacific are also growing.

Turning to defence ties with the United States, Mr Teo said the US remains "one of our strongest and closest defence partners".

US forces visit Changi Naval Base and Paya Lebar Air Base regularly and both sides conduct high-end professional exercises.

Mr Teo said the SAF has also its strengthened defence relationships with China, holding the first bilateral training exercise between Singapore and China last June.

This was a joint training exercise on security operations for major events and provided a platform for developing mutual understanding.

And with India, relations continued to develop very productively with all three Services conducting exercises with their Indian counterparts.

NSmen

 

S'pore committed to multinational reconstruction efforts: DPM Teo

Channel NewsAsia
05 March 2010 1612 hrs

By S.Ramesh,

Singapore is committed to contributing within its means and in a useful way to multinational reconstruction efforts, says Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean.

And back at home, the country's investments in defence research and development are critical as the technologies the SAF needs may not be available on the open market.

Singapore has a Weapon Locating Radar detachment and a medical team deployed in Oruzgan province in Afghanistan.

The Republic's role in these efforts has been welcomed by the International Security Asisstance Force commanders, says Defence Minister Teo.

Mr Teo said: "I had the opportunity to visit our soldiers in Afghanistan last November and saw first-hand the contributions of our personnel. The feedback I received from the International Security Assistance Force or ISAF commanders showed that our deployments are making a valued contribution towards the stabilisation and reconstruction efforts. We also continue to deploy construction engineering teams to Bamiyan."

Come April, Singapore will deploy a surgical team to Oruzgan for the first time.

Singapore is also prepared to deploy a KC-135 aerial refuelling tanker and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Task Group to Afghanistan while in the Gulf of Aden, it'll deploy a second Task Group, comprising a Landing Ship Tank with two Super Pumas and a Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

This will be from June to October this year, as well as a Maritime Patrol Aircraft from December 2010 to February 2011.

Mr Teo stressed that every international deployment the SAF undertook was carefully considered.

Mr Teo said: "Such deployments do involve risks to our servicemen which can be significant. However, where there is real and important work to be done, there will be attendant risks.

“Therefore, we must make sure that our servicemen are well equipped and trained, and receive additional training specific to their mission and area of operation."

Thats why the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) also invests in research and development, up to four per cent of the defence budget.

GPC Chair, Defence and Foreign Affairs, Michael Palmer said: "In our 3G SAF, the power of this technology is not only that we have it. It lies in the networked capabilities of these machines, thereby giving the force more speed, precision and mobility."

"To this end, there was a concerted effort to network and connect each different component part so as to enable all parts to work as a whole. This would include making use of electronic and computer technology and the requisite training to achieve an Integrated Knowledge-Based Command and Control."

Like this mini tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV called the Skyblade, whose primary mission is to support Army battalion operations.

Mr Teo said: "Development of such mini-UAVs was technically very challenging as all the sub-systems had to be small and lightweight. DSO engineers had to work out a design within a very tight weight budget that would include optical devices with sufficient resolution, pointing accuracy and stabilisation so that it could capture clear video imagery.

“A miniaturised communications data-link had to be incorporated to transmit the video back.

“The mini-UAV also needed a good engine and a high-capacity battery pack for meaningful mission time and range, and it had to be robust enough to survive repeated take-offs and landings."

Mr Teo explained that after extensive trials and evolution, the design was refined and transferred to ST Engineering to produce the Skyblade III.

ST Engineering has proceeded to develop the production model successfully.

These UAVs are currently being delivered to equip the Army.

Mr Teo said: "DSO's expertise in unmanned systems is currently being applied also to land and underwater systems.

“It has successfully developed ground robots. Research is also ongoing with industry partners to develop unmanned underwater vehicles for underwater surveillance and mine counter-measures.

“These programmes illustrate the pay-offs from the investments into DSO's R&D capabilities which are a key part of the SAF's 3rd Generation transformation."

The needs of the operationally-ready national servicemen have also not been forgotten.

Parliament was also given an update on efforts by MINDEF to help NSmen to remain connected with their work commitments during their in-camp training, a key recommendation from the RECORD FIVE committee which was accepted recently by the government.

The result - business centres in the three largest training institutes where NSmen have their In-Camp Training.

Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, said: "NSmen can bring in their laptops and PDAs to use them at these business centres after training hours.

“These business centres will be equipped with wireless internet access to enable our NSmen to connect to their workplaces.

“We have received very positive feedback from our NSmen regarding this initiative and they are looking forward to the implementation next month."

But one area which needs more attention, says MP Indranee Rajah, is greater consciousness about total defence.

MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Indranee Rajah, said: "This year, Chinese New Year was on February 15 and the alarm was sounded. Someone asked me why the alarm is being sounded. Is it to celebrate the first day of Chinese New Year? I explained it was not. I explained 15th February is the day we fell to the Japanese. So MINDEF might be better off trying to link it to Valentine's Day which is 14th of February and tell everybody after 'love' comes 'war'."

Minister of State, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee noted that total Defence had become even more relevant, as it provided Singapore with a whole-of-nation framework for overcoming potential threats and challenges.

"It is critical that all Singaporeans understand that everyone has a role to play in defending Singapore and in building a strong nation that is vigilant, prepared and resilient," he said.

MINDEF said it will continue to use creative means to engage Singaporeans and enhance their personal commitment to total defence.


Teo Chee Hean

 

Singapore resolves religious differences through mediation, says Shanmugam

Channel NewsAsia
05 March 2010 1515 hrs

By S Ramesh,


SINGAPORE: Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said Friday ethnic and religious diversity poses some challenges to social order as different groups pursue their interests enthusiastically and passionately.

Speaking in Parliament during the Home Affairs Ministry's Budget debate, he said Singapore's approach towards resolving such disagreements is through mediation, or at the ground level through common sense.

Other means include moral persuasion using the collective efforts of the community, grassroots and religious leaders.

However, Mr Shanmugam noted that there may be times when such efforts are not enough.

"In such instances, the authorities will step in to deal with the problem," he said.

On suggestions by an MP that a stronger and clearer signal be sent out for every breach of the law, Mr Shanmugam felt that ideally, such action by the authorities should be few and far between.

He said the long-term solution to religious disputes must come from the mutual understanding and trust among the different groups and their leaders.

Mr Shanmugam stressed that the Internet cannot be a realm where the law is suspended and does not apply.

He said everyone must be accountable for their actions when they break the law, even if these were done in cyberspace.


Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam

 

ASEAN held itself together despite challenges in 2009: George Yeo

Channel NewsAsia
05 March 2010 1730 hrs

By Imelda Saad,

Despite severe challenges last year during Thailand's chairmanship, ASEAN has held itself together and continued to make progress, although not as much as Singapore would have hoped for.

Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo gave this assessment in Parliament during the debate on the Budget estimates for his ministry.

He pointed to concrete results such as the implementation of the ASEAN Charter - a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with China, and the historic meeting between US President Barrack Obama and all ten ASEAN economies in Singapore.

Mr Yeo said "relative peace in the region and the enlargement of our economic space have made possible Singapore's continuing economic development". It is to this end that Singapore actively participates in international forums like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting (APEC) and the G20 process.

Turning to relations with Southeast Asian neighbours, Mr Yeo said ties with Malaysia are "very good". He said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will meet his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak in May to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Mr Yeo is also hopeful of a win-win outcome with regards to the Points of Agreement on railway land, following ongoing talks with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

Both sides have been discussing further cooperation in Iskandar Malaysia, including Singapore's investment in an iconic project and the possibility of linking the two urban rail systems.

Mr Yeo said: "Support of the Johor ground is a necessary pre-condition. When Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew visited Johor Bahru to pay his final respects to the late Sultan of Johor, the new Sultan, Sultan Ibrahim, expressed clearly his wish for stronger relations between Johor and Singapore. Our new consulate in Johor Bahru is already busy with work."

Relations are also good with Indonesia and Myanmar.

On Myanmar, Mr Yeo stressed the importance of fair and legitimate elections in the country this year.

He said: "This will be a critical year for Myanmar. At long last, elections will be held under a new Constitution that guarantees a continuing strong role for the military in Myanmar's politics.

"We know that there are ongoing discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the generals, and hope that both sides will show flexibility and compromise."

Mr Yeo said if there is no reconciliation and the elections outcome is not seen as legitimate, especially by Myanmar's neighbours, "then ASEAN will have a problem."

Going beyond the region, Mr Yeo said relations with China and US are good. He said despite other preoccupations, the US has made efforts to reengage ASEAN.

With China, Singapore is planning a series of joint commemorative activities this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Mr Yeo said: "Although there are many challenges in the international and regional environment, we can find in them new ways to make a living. This is the new context in which we seek to restructure the Singapore economy.

"We need sensitive antennas to detect new trends and comprehensive responses to threats and opportunities. The mission of the Foreign Ministry is to expand the external political and economic space for Singapore's continuing development."

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo

 

MOE gives record number of awards for innovative ideas in education

Channel NewsAsia
March 2010 1649 hrs

By Dylan Loh,

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Education Ministry is giving a record number of awards for innovative ideas in education.

Its annual "Innergy (Schools) Awards" recognises teams and individuals whose creative ideas contributed to the ministry's mission of providing quality education.

This year, 56 awards will be given out, the most since its launch in November 2000.

Recipients include Hai Sing Catholic School which introduced an online platform for students to explore character and leadership strengths.

Bedok View Secondary School is another award winner.

It used tablet PCs and video blogs to better deliver Design and Technology lessons.

The awards are given out at the Ministry's ExCEL, or Excellence through Continuous Enterprise and Learning, Fest 2010.

The two-day event is a platform to share innovative practices in schools.

It is held at Singapore's Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre from March 5-6.

 

I'm reproducing the link below to satisfy myself that you have not misunderstood, misquoted or try to change what was actually reported:

QUOTE

Let due process of law handle Romanian hit-and-run case: Minister Yeo


Channel NewsAsia
22 February 2010 1540 hrs

By Evelyn Choo,


Singapore won't tolerate abuse of diplomatic immunity: Minister Yeo

SINGAPORE: Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo has said there are due processes of law in Singapore and Romania to deal with the hit-and-run accident linked to Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr Yeo said Singapore must take one step at a time and not act in haste. He appealed to Singaporeans not to speculate but let the law take its course.

The Bukit Panjang accident on December 15 last year claimed the life of a pedestrian, 30-year-old Tong Kok Wai.

"Some have criticised the Singapore government for not acting immediately to detain him (Dr Ionescu). I fully understand the outrage many Singaporeans feel over the hit-and-run accident and the tragic death of Mr Tong," said Mr Yeo.

"However, we should never do anything that is not in keeping with due legal process, nor descend into trial by media. Otherwise, we will weaken our own case."

Mr Yeo also highlighted efforts to get Dr Ionescu, who left Singapore two days after the accident, to attend the coroner's inquiry next month.

"If Dr Ionescu was, as he had claimed, not the driver, then it would clearly be in his own interest to attend or to have a lawyer to represent him at the inquiry to present his version of the events, as well as to question witnesses," said Mr Yeo.

Another request was for Romania to waive the diplomatic immunity of another central figure - Dr Ionescu's driver Marius Trusca - so that he could testify at the inquiry.

As both sides communicate on the official level, conflicting reports were flying in the media on the status of the driver's immunity. Some said his immunity has been waived while others claimed it had not.

Singapore's hope is that the Romanian Embassy will act without undue delay as the inquiry is starting early next month.

Mr Yeo stressed that Singapore will not tolerate any abuse of diplomatic immunity and believes the Romanian authorities share this view.

UNQUOTE

I think what Mr Yeo said has been in accordance with what Singapore has always believed in i.e. the due process of law and that the case must be properly conducted in the court of law.

Reporting of what has transpired regarding the hit-and-run accident and the ongoing related court sessions cannot be equated to trial by the media. Sure in the process of reporting, mistakes can happen as in the case of the driver's immunity, but they will be corrected in due course.

Mr Yeo has stressed that Singapore will not tolerate any abuse of diplomatic immunity.

But you in your post #1296:

"Loh, diplomats have immunity from any civil or criminal prosecutions. There is nothing the Singapore government can do about it. It would have been better for the Singapore government to ask Romania to waive diplomatic immunity for their diplomat so that he can be tried in Singapore. If not then Romania obviously think any diplomatic fallout is minimal."

... you seem to think that there is no way that Singapore can succeed in bringing justice without obtaining diplomatic immunity waiver. On the other hand I still think there is hope that justice will be done.

I don't think the news reporting will hamper or weaken our position. Indeed the public should be kept informed of such a highly publicized case. So far there is no public outcry over the matter and the case has been dealt with according to plan, as I see it.

As I've said, be patient and wait for the results.

 

I think you have spent too much unnecessary concerns over what Singapore might get herself into. I have no doubt that our government will be able to handle the matter in the most diplomatic way to bring about a successful conclusion.

So in order not to prejudice our position, could you stop your rantings and conjectures of what Spore should do or should not have done. Just leave it to our more able officers to do the job and wait for the outcome.

 

Singapore's growth strategy, education are learning models for Denmark

Channel NewsAsia
06 March 2010 2125 hrs

By Wang Eng Eng,

Denmark expects to learn more about Singapore's growth strategies and education system.

This follows a one-day stopover by Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, during which he visited the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to find out more about Danish-Singapore environmental collaborations.

While in Singapore, he also met officials from the finance and education ministries.

DHI is one green company from Denmark making its presence felt in Singapore.

Established in 2003 with a staff of just four, it has since grown and now has over a hundred members.

In 2007, it collaborated with NTU to form the Water and Environment Research Centre and Education Hub, with a focus on research on waste management and environmental impact assessment.

Mr Rasmussen said: "From a Danish and Singapore perspective, we need to invest in more green technology and the demand for green technology will increase in the future..."

He added: "There is a reason that DHI is in Singapore, and Vestas - one of the biggest wind industry company in the world - has invested resources in Singapore, has established a research centre.

"You could ask why they have done that, given the fact there is almost no wind in Singapore. The answer is that your government has established a system of close and trustful cooperation between the business environment and the public sector in Singapore, and from that we can learn a lot."

Besides green technology, another area of collaboration is in the educational sector.

The Danish Prime Minister said: "We have established a school system where we have established a balance between knowledge and skills. We allow our students to work and play...that allows Danish students to be innovative and act in a self-confident way.

"But on the other hand, we have something to learn as well, because when it comes to hard knowledge, we only rank average in these international ranking systems."

One area Mr Rasmussen is keen on is primary school education, where he said Singapore's cost-effective model has produced results.

After Singapore, Mr Rasmussen will visit Tokyo and Seoul.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen

 

NTUC to launch weight management programme at workplace

Channel NewsAsia
07 March 2010 1930 hrs

By S Ramesh,

SINGAPORE: Singapore's labour movement wants to help employees get into shape. It is launching a weight management programme next month to promote healthy living at the workplace.

NTUC said companies involved in the programme would be eligible for grants - S$200 from the Health Promotion Board and another S$100 from NTUC.

The target is to reach out to 50 companies this year.

NTUC on Sunday celebrated International Women's Day with the theme: "Just for the Health of It."

"Women leaders in the labour movement, they make a big difference to the success and progress of the labour movement as well to the welfare of the workers of Singapore," said Labour Chief Lim Swee Say.

According to a 2007 Health Ministry survey, only 22 per cent of women exercised regularly and an alarming 55 per cent did not exercise at all. Some of their reasons for not doing so were: no time because of work or family, too tired after work, or just plain lazy.

Hence, on the cards is a new weight management programme for companies and employees, where Body Mass Index (BMI) machines will be made available.

"There will also be a S$200 grant to each company which wants to take the initiative to help their employees to lose weight," explained Halimah Yacob, Secretary-General of NTUC. "So what we hope to achieve is to reach out to 50 companies this year and we hope it will be a momentum across all the companies.

"The workplace is a concentration of people and we know that people have to be healthy in order for them to work well, in order for them to perform their duties at home."

Madam Halimah, who exercises at least four times a week, added that there is a close link between a company's productivity and an employee's health.

"If an employee is unhealthy, falls sick very frequently, your MC level goes up," she said. "Everyday an employee goes on MC, it's (costly) to the employer. And then now we are talking about working up to 65, 67, no retirement age even, obviously health has become a critical factor."

A new health video to help women exercise regularly was also launched and given to the 4,000 participants at the celebrations.


Lim Swee Say

 

New climbing wall opens

The Straits Times
Mar 7, 2010

By Jermyn Chow

CLIMBING enthusiasts will be leaping for joy with the opening of a new climbing installation at the People's Association Water-Venture Adventure Sports Centre in Pasir Ris.

The 13-m tower will allow adrenalin junkies and mountain climbers to advance their skills in sport climbing and abseiling.

Dubbed the Community Tower, it cost $450,000 to construct with about $200,000 being subsidised by the Singapore Totalisator Board. The adventure tower was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Sunday.

There are about four such outdoor adventure towers islandwide, including those at the Outward Bound School and Safra Yishun Club's Adventure Sports Centre.

With a new climbing venue in the east, the PA hopes to attract more adventure and thrill seekers - especially youth - to scale new heights, said Mr Christopher Beh, who heads PA's business development branch.


Dubbed the Community Tower, it cost $450,000 to construct with about $200,000 being subsidised by the Singapore Totalisator Board. -- PHOTO: ZAOBAO

 

Top A-level scorer from RI

The Straits Times
Mar 5, 2010

By Amelia Tan , Leow Si Wan and Jennani Durai

THE results of the GCE 'A' Level examinations were released on Friday, with this year's cohort doing slightly better than last year's.

Of the 14,212 students who sat the examination last year, 12,488, or 87.9 per cent scored at least three H2 passes, with a pass in General Paper (GP) or Knowledge and Inquiry (KI). This is a 0.2 per cent improvement over last year.

Students received their results at 2.30pm from their respective schools.

At Raffles Institution, 598 students, or 47 per cent of those who sat for the A-level examinations, scored four H2 distinctions. This cohort of students was the first in both schools to go through the Integrated Programme (IP) from Secondary 1. Previous IP batches had started the programme in Secondary 3.

RI's top scorer is Pan Zixiang, who obtained distinctions in 13 academic units for nine subjects, including German and Higher Chinese.

Another top RI boy is Chen Sihan, a Chinese scholar, who scored 12 distinctions for nine subjects.

Over at Hwa Chong Institution, 216 out of its 1,000 A-level students scored seven distinctions or more, with Lee Jia Li, 18, topping with nine distinctions.


RI's top scorer is Pan Zixiang, who obtained distinctions in 13 academic units for nine subjects, including German and Higher Chinese. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW

 

Embassy Hit-and-run Inquiry

The Straits Times
Mar 8, 2010

Witness fingers Ionescu

By Teh Joo Lin

WHEN he saw a car hitting two pedestrians, Mr Mohamed Noor Hussain rose from his seat at the coffeeshop and dashed towards the road.

He picked up a stone and stood on the road, intending to throw it at the car so it would stop.

'However, I saw the car heading towards me and I jumped back onto the divider of the road. I fell and injured my leg,' the 38-year-old bartender told the Coroner's Court on Monday morning.

The inquiry into the death of Mr Tong Kok Wai 30, one of three pedestrians who was crossing Bukit Panjang Road on Dec 15 when they were hit by a Romanian embassy car, entered its fourth day today.

The hearings so far have proceeded smoothly; only four out of more than 50 witnesses have yet to give evidence.

Mr Noor is the only eyewitness so far to have identified the driver as Dr Silviu Ionescu, the former charge d'affaires of the Romanian embassy.

He said: 'After I fell down, the driver slowed down the car, wound down the window and scolded me.' That was when he saw the driver.

In court, Mr Noor identified the driver from a photograph of Dr Ionescu published in the newspapers.

Mr Noor is also the only eyewitness so far to have seen both accidents, which occurred within seconds of each other.

In the first accident at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bangkit Road, Mr Tong and Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, were hit. At a second junction about 140 metres away, Mr Muhammad Haris Abu Talib, 18, was also hit.

He said: 'When I got up, I saw the car had gone on to the next traffic junction and collided into another person.'

The inquiry continues on Tuesday.

Mr Noor is also the only eyewitness so far to have seen both accidents, which occurred within seconds of each other. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

 

MAS unveils new structure

The Straits Times
Mar 8, 2010

By Reico Wong

THE Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Monday announced a new organisation structure, together with the appointment of seven new assistant managing directors.

To take effect on April 1, MAS said the new structure will enable the organisation to respond more effectively to the rapidly changing global economic and financial landscape.

The appointment of the assistant managing directors will also enable better support to both its Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Directors in delivering operational and strategic goals, MAS said in a statement.

The revamped supervision structure will specifically be a more integrated one. In view of increasing overlap of activities in the banking, insurance and capital markets and the growth of financial conglomerates that undertake these activities, MAS said the new structure will combine prudential and market conduct supervision.

'For MAS to remain responsive to current events while keeping our strategic focus, we need to broaden and deepen our management bench,' said Mr Heng Swee Keat, MAS' managing director, 'I am confident that our revised organisation structure and newly appointed senior managers will enhance MAS' ability to maintain monetary and financial stability, contribute to global cooperation, and better serve the public.

'It will also enhance our ability to steer our financial sector to support Singapore's growth as a Global-Asia business and financial services hub.'


Inregrated supervision

MAS said it will adopt an integrated supervision structure, combining prudential and market conduct supervision.


Teo Swee Lian, Deputy Managing Director, will oversee Financial Supervision. Reporting to Ms Teo are:

- Lee Boon Ngiap, Assistant Managing Director, Banking & Insurance Group, overseeing banking, insurance and complex institutions. This group will undertake all frontline supervision of over 150 banks and insurance companies, local and foreign;

- Leo Mun Wai, Assistant Managing Director, Capital Markets Group, overseeing capital markets, capital markets intermediaries and investment intermediaries. This group will supervise the very large and growing number of entities and advisors is in the capital markets area;

- Andrew Khoo, Assistant Managing Director, Policy, Risk & Surveillance Group, overseeing specialist risk macroeconomic surveillance and supervisory policy. This group will bring together the analytical and specialist risk work to develop a holistic view of macro and micro risks and to formulate appropriate policy responses.


Ong Chong Tee, Deputy Managing Director, will oversee MAS' central banking functions relating to Monetary Policy, Markets and Investment, as well as the Development functions. Reporting to Mr Ong are:

- Lee Chuan Teck, Assistant Managing Director, Markets and Investment Group, overseeing reserve management and monetary & domestic markets management. This group will be responsible for the management of foreign reserves, and the implementation of monetary policy;

- Edward Robinson, Assistant Managing Director, Economic Policy Group, overseeing economic surveillance and economic analysis. This group will undertake economic research and analysis for MAS' monetary policy functions, as well as undertake broader research relating to the Singapore and global economy;

- Ng Nam Sin, Assistant Managing Director, Development Group, overseeing financial Strategy and financial development. This group will spearhead the growth of Singapore's financial sector.


Rounding up the new organisation structure, Jacqueline Loh will be appointed Assistant Managing Director, Finance, Information Technology & Risk Group, overseeing finance, information technology and the Risk Office. This group will provide the finance and IT support to other departments, as well as exercise risk and control functions.


Foo-Yap Siew Hong will be appointed Special Projects Advisor to the Managing Director, overseeing, among others, the enhancement of e-payments and the national payments system. Mrs Foo-Yap will also chair the Singapore Clearing House Association (SCHA) and continue as Assistant Managing Director, Currency, Human Resources & Corporate Services, overseeing these departments. Mrs Foo-Yap and Ms Loh will report directly to the Managing Director. Given the growing scope and significance of international engagements which MAS undertakes, the External Department will also report directly to the Managing Director.


To take effect on April 1, MAS said the new structure will enable the organisation to respond more effectively to the rapidly changing global economic and financial landscape. -- PHOTO: BT

 

Looks like you are the media judge instead. And all your caution on trial by media is hot air.

 

MINISTRY OF TRADE & INDUSTRY - To a bigger, better S'pore

The Straits Times
Mar 9, 2010

By Fiona Chan


1 Broaden expertise in fast-moving technology sector

2 Seize new opportunities as old sectors merge

3 Bring in new types of firms for more vibrant mix

4 Tap Asean links to help local companies

5 Bank on trade pacts to help firms expand

PILL-SIZE cameras that can be swallowed to give doctors images of a patient's insides are one of several cutting-edge technologies Singapore has identified as new growth areas.

There will be an increasing demand in these bioelectronic solutions as the developed world ages, and Singapore intends to position itself to take advantage of that, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang said in Parliament yesterday.

Mr Lim cited these products as one way to grow and deepen Singapore's key electronics sector, which has been a stalwart of the economy since the 1960s but which undergoes rapid changes.

To keep up, Singapore companies must now also venture into green electronic products such as energy-efficient lighting, security technologies like biometric systems, and plastic electronics, including flexible e-book displays, Mr Lim said during his ministry's Committee of Supply debate yesterday.

Broadening expertise in important clusters is one of five growth strategies that the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will focus on to grow the economy over the next decade and create better jobs.

Another policy it will pursue is to seize new opportunities that are emerging as the traditionally separate manufacturing and service sectors begin to collide.


There will be an increasing demand in bioelectronic solutions as the developed world ages, and Singapore intends to position itself to take advantage of that, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang said in Parliament yesterday. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

 

Study on nuclear energy to begin this year

Channel NewsAsia
09 March 2010 0805 hrs

A feasibility study by a multi-agency group of whether nuclear energy can be a long-term option for Singapore, will be commencing later this year.

The effort will be led by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, announced its Senior Minister of State S Iswaran on Monday, and it will aim to "ensure that we fully understand, and objectively evaluate from all perspectives, the opportunities, challenges and risks involved with nuclear energy".

Public concerns have been surfaced about the risks considering Singapore's size and population density.

"Indeed, these were some of the reasons for not considering the option before," acknowledged Mr Iswaran.

"But new technologies are being developed to address some of the key concerns associated with nuclear energy, and to make nuclear reactors smaller and safer, at a lower cost and with less high-level waste.

"Some of these technologies are in the early stages of commercialisation and we need to study if they could be feasible in our context."

Mr Iswaran made several arguments for mulling the nuclear option. It could "potentially enhance energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and mitigate the impact of volatile oil and gas prices".

Then, there are small states like Switzerland and island-nations like Japan that have made great strides in nuclear energy in the last four decades.

There is also "merit in building up our knowledge and expertise in nuclear science which has applications in diagnostic medicine and cancer treatment" - it could yield therapeutic and economic benefits, he added.