They started a Facebook page to petition against new Member of Parliament (MP) Tin Pei Ling after the 2011 General Election.

The page allegedly went on to garner 60,000 likes, inspiring Yang Kaiheng and his then-girlfriend, Ai Takagi, to start an online business.

Yesterday, Yang, who is on trial for sedition, testified that he and Takagi were buoyed by the large following and decided that online space was a useful venue to make money.

"We thought a website without censorship and more freedom of speech (would be) a good business venture for us," he said.

From there, the idea for socio-political website The Real Singapore (TRS) was born.

The couple, who got married last October, were charged last April with posting seven seditious articles on the TRS website and its Facebook page. (See report above.)

Deputy Public Prosecutor G. Kannan said the couple had exploited racist and xenophobic fault lines through their seditious articles, some of which were allegedly fabricated, to drive traffic to the site and cash in on advertising revenue.

Takagi, 23, an Australian national of Japanese descent believed to be 10 weeks pregnant, was jailed for 10 months on March 23 after pleading guilty to four counts of sedition.

Yang, 27, a Singaporean, claimed trial. He took the stand for the first time yesterday and told the court that the idea for TRS did not come "naturally".

He added they first came up with a Facebook page, titled "Petition to remove Tin Pei Ling as a MP", in 2011.

At that time, they were students at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.

Yang said the Tin Pei Ling Facebook page had 60,000 likes at one point. It was still active yesterday, and a check revealed its first post was on May 8, 2011, a day after polling day in which Ms Tin's People's Action Party team won the Marine Parade group representation constituency.

Inspired by the page's large following, they went on to create the TRS Facebook page and website.

Yang earlier told the authorities that his involvement was "fleeting" - just a month in 2012, said DPP Kannan.

He also told the police his involvement in TRS was only in the advertising aspects.

Yesterday, Yang testified he was initially involved in designing the website, its headers and its logo.

The Real Singapore duo arrested for sedition

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

The New Paper, The Straits Times

REVENUE

Yang also said he learnt from his friends on how to earn advertising revenue through Google Adsense, which later paid TRS almost half a million dollars between December 2013 and April 2015.

He suggested using Google Adsense to Takagi, who he claimed was involved in the publishing of content, liaising with advertisers, engaging the editorial team and running the day-to-day business of TRS.

He added that Google even sent its staff members to meet Takagi and invited her to a meeting in Sydney.

The TRS Facebook page was eventually created in June 2012, but Yang said he stopped being active with TRS soon after that, claiming he was busy with schoolwork and his university's gaming club that he set up.

He helped Takagi out on an ad hoc basis - occasionally assisting her with the TRS mobile app and giving feedback. He denied having any role in the writing or editing of the articles.

Earlier yesterday, DPP Kannan closed the prosecution's case by saying there was prima facie proof that Yang had published the seditious publications, as evidenced by the chat logs tendered to the court.

He also pointed out Yang was one of two directors of the company who received significant advertising revenue for TRS and had a case to answer.

District Judge Ng Peng Hong said the evidence tendered so far was "not inherently incredible" and called for Yang to give evidence in his defence.

Yesterday's hearing was adjourned after just 20 minutes as the court allowed Yang to take time off to accompany his wife following Tuesday's "medical emergency" linked to her pregnancy.

The trial continues today.

If found guilty, Yang can be jailed up to three years and fined up to $5,000 for each sedition charge.

rloh@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on April 7, 2016.
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There are fishermen's tales with an ugly twist - and many are surfacing after a wild otter pup was spotted last Saturday at the Kallang River with a fish hook near its eye.

The otter is the latest victim of irresponsible, and sometimes illegal, fishing activity that has left legitimate anglers fuming.

To start with, whoever injured the otter was not supposed to be fishing in that part of the river. The person also used a baited hook, which is not allowed in inland fishing as it could affect water quality.

Irresponsible anglers also litter and leave fishing lines and hooks in places where they pose a danger to humans and wildlife alike, fishing enthusiasts and environmental groups told The Straits Times.

"Irresponsible fishing habits still persist and, overall, the situation hasn't improved since Marina Barrage was built," said Mr Eugene Heng, founder and chairman of the Waterways Watch Society.

Volunteers from the environmental group patrol Singapore's reservoirs and canals, often finding evidence of irresponsible behaviour.

When anglers cut away entangled fishing lines with hooks and leave them in the water, kayakers and dragon boaters can be hurt. There is also a risk of harming wildlife and the latest case of the injured otter was the third since last October.

Last year, national water agency PUB issued about 400 summonses for illegal fishing.

An average of 500 were issued in 2014 and also in 2013 - double the 250 yearly average in 2011 and 2012. Fishing is allowed at designated spots in 10 out of the 17 local reservoirs, namely Bedok, Jurong Lake, Kranji, Lower Peirce, Lower Seletar, MacRitchie, Marina, Pandan, Serangoon and Upper Seletar.

"Fishing is not allowed in all waterways except at Pang Sua Canal, where there is a designated fishing deck," added a PUB spokesman.

Those caught fishing in no-fishing areas can be fined up to $3,000.

Undergraduate and avid angler Toh Kiat Sheng, 22, said there are several influential fishing communities, such as FishingKaki.com and Eat Sleep Fish. They all frown upon irresponsible anglers who give the community a bad name.

"We even have 'policemen' in the group who photograph irresponsible anglers who leave their trash behind, and post them (the photos) online to deter others from doing the same.

"The otter-hooking incident is unfortunate, but we should keep in mind that such instances are caused by black sheep who give all of us a bad reputation."

Mr Luke Gino Cunico, owner of the Fishing Kaki online forum which has 450,000 members, said the otter in last Saturday's case was injured by a baited hook, which is not allowed when fishing inland.

"The community is not happy. We are very strict about fishing etiquette and the type of hooks we use, we use artificial lures and barbless hooks," he said.

Veterinary surgeon and angler Jean-Paul Ly said those who fish should not leave lines and hooks lying around as they could be picked up by animals.

"Although hooks are small and could be passed out by the animal, there is a risk they could get lodged in their internal organs," said Dr Ly, a consultant at the Animal Recovery Centre in Serangoon Road.

He also cautioned against pulling on the line if an animal is hooked as this may cause the hook to set.

Rescue efforts may distress otters, which are social animals, said Mr N Sivasothi, senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore's department of biological sciences. "A family group of otters will not tolerate capture, and trying to rescue one individual may cause them a lot of distress and disruption."

Meanwhile, the injured otter pup was seen with its family near the Kallang Wave Mall yesterday morning. It is not known if the hook is still lodged near its eye.

Last October, a man was caught on video hooking an otter while fishing illegally. In response to queries, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) yesterday said there was "insufficient evidence to prove that the angler had intentionally hooked the otter".

A spokesman said: "AVA did not take any enforcement action against the angler. PUB has issued a fine to the angler... as he was fishing in a no-fishing area."

COMMON IRRESPONSIBLE FISHING PRACTICES

DISCARDING UNWANTED FISH ON WATERSIDE PAVEMENTS: Instead of throwing unwanted fish back into the water, irresponsible anglers sometimes leave the fish - usually smaller ones - on waterside pavements. The carcasses decompose, giving off a foul smell and attracting rodents. Anglers often give the excuse that the fish will feed stray cats. "But this is wrong and should not be done," says Mr Eugene Heng, founder and chairman of environmental group Waterways Watch Society.

LITTERING: This is a problem not just among anglers, but also other park users. When trash such as plastic bags enter water bodies, they endanger marine life which may consume the rubbish.

LEAVING FISHING LINES AND HOOKS LYING AROUND: These pose a danger to humans and animals alike. Lead hooks left in the water may also result in poisoning, says wildlife consultant Subaraj Rajathurai.

audreyt@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on April 7, 2016.
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A maid was forced to stand on one leg on a stool while holding another stool in her hand, a court heard yesterday.

The 33-year-old Indonesian, who goes by the name Fitriyah, said that while she maintained the stance for half an hour, her employer, Tay Wee Kiat, forced a small plastic bottle into her mouth.

Testifying in the trial of IT manager Tay and his wife, Chia Yun Ling, she claimed Tay forced the bizarre punishment onto her after wrongly accusing her of breaking an elephant statue.

"He pushed all of the bottle into my mouth until I felt pain," said Ms Fitriyah, who had apologised and explained that the couple's daughter had broken the statue. "I cried and told him: 'Don't do that to me.'"

The February 2011 ordeal ended when the couple decided to go out.

Tay, 38, denies 12 charges in relation to offences against Ms Fitriyah, while Chia, 41, has claimed trial to two.

Two of Tay's proceeded charges accuse him of offering to pay Ms Fitriyah her salary and sending her home, in return for not reporting his offence of voluntarily causing hurt to the police, and instructing her to lie to the police that he did not physically abuse the other maid, Myanmar national Moe Moe Than, 27.

Ms Fitriyah said she felt scared after the statue incident and wanted to change employers, but Chia would not let her.

She then took $50 from Chia's wallet and told Tay what she had done so that she would be sent back home.

When the couple took her to the agency, Ms Fitriyah refused to leave the car. She changed her mind about going to the agency, afraid that the staff there would scold her and not help her.

She said Tay pulled her hand and she fell onto the pavement, causing her pain in the chest.

The couple then took her to Tay's father's house. "I was informed that if I were to go back, I had to sleep with a Bangladeshi to earn money to buy a ticket...,'' she said in Bahasa Indonesia through an interpreter.

When she refused to stand on a stool again, Tay slapped her. She also testified that Tay had used a bundle of three canes tied together to hit her on the head "many times''.

He also hit her twice with a bamboo stick, she said.

Another alleged punishment involved the two maids being forced to pray 100 times before a Buddha statue for moving a piece of cloth that was covering it.

Ms Fitriyah, who now works for another employer, demonstrated how it was done in court. With her hands clasped in front of her chest, she said she had to bow, kneel and then get up.

She said Tay then told her and Ms Than to slap each other 10 times.

Ms Fitriyah said once, when Tay found out that his son's swollen head was due to an accidental fall, he pulled her hair and took her to a room.

"Suddenly, he grabbed my chin hard and pushed me against the edge of the cupboard. My head hit the cupboard. He did it two times,'' she said.

She also testified that whenever she was punished, Tay would not give her any food.

The hearing continues.

elena@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on April 7, 2016.
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Churchill and Mao might have caused the rift between The Straits Times (ST) and its popular column contributor, Dr Lee Wee Ling.

Dr Lee revealed on her Facebook page yesterday the contentious part of her article, that mentioned the death commemorations of the two legendary world leaders, and which ST editors said were "irrelevant", according to her.

She had produced her article in full earlier on Facebook on March 25 without making any comment.

The saga started when Dr Lee shocked readers when she announced on April 1 that she would stop writing for the English daily of Singapore Press Holdings, after many years in a "love hate" relationship with the newspaper.

The tipping point finally came in March when the editors refused to publish in full her article on why her father, former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, would have cringed at hero-worship by Singaporeans marking his first death anniversary with week-long events.

But she argued that the chunk that the editors wanted removed would have helped drive home her point that Mr Lee, who died in March last year (2015) would be unhappy if he were to be turned into a personality cult after his death. She had explained this in the context of how two foreign countries have remembered their late leaders.

In the disputed part, which contained more than a dozen sentences, Dr Lee highlighted the vastly different ways the two nearly-forgotten world leaders of the war and post-war eras, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Britain (on the right)  and Chairman Mao Zedong (left) of China, were honoured after their deaths.

She wrote that the body of Chairman Mao, who died on Sept 9 in 1976, was embalmed and placed in a crystal sarcophagus. It was then housed in a memorial hall built as permanent tribute to him in Aug 1977.

The commemoration of Sir Winston Churchill's death saw a different picture, Dr Lee pointed out.

"The anniversary of his funeral took place 50 years after the actual funeral on 30 January 1965...marked by scores of events, including a service and wreath laying at the Houses of Parliament, a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, and the rebroadcast by BBC Parliament of the original live coverage," she wrote.

She recalled what the current Prime Minister David Cameron had said in his tribute to Churchill: "Half a century after his death, Winston Churchill's legacy continues to inspire not only the nation whose liberty he saved, but the entire world. His words and his actions reverberate through our national life today."

Related: ST and former editor refute Dr Lee's allegations

Dr Lee continued in her article: "Compare the actual time from death to the first commemoration, and the different activities involved in the commemoration for the two leaders above. Which one would Papa wish his commemoration to resemble. Also bear in mind, that unlike almost all leaders, Papa was dead set against a personality cult and any hint of cronyism.

"If he was forced to choose one form of commemoration, Papa would have objected less if the commemoration resembled that held for Winston Churchill. Do note that Churchill, unlike Papa, cherished glory and a place in the history of his country.

"Compare what Churchill's commemoration which was conducted 50 years after his death with the activities that have been taking place in Singapore that will continue for an entire week. I think Papa would have objected if he were able to convey his view."

Rushing to her defence, one of her Facebook fans insisted that the examples of Mao and Churchill were relevant to the point of her article.

"If such a big chunk is considered irrelevant by ST editor, it is definitely more than editing," said Teo Lay Yan.

After Dr Lee accused ST editors of curbing her "freedom of speech" in her Facebook post on April 1, fans urged her to continue writing by posting her articles on Facebook.

ST and a former associate editor, Janadas Devan, who had edited her writing, had countered her allegations, saying that the issue was not about freedom of expression but rather a case of editing to uphold journalistic standards.

ST issued a statement on its Forum page to explain why her demand that her latest article be published unedited was "simply not acceptable".

It said: "All professional newspapers require their writers to work with an editor, who gives a range of inputs on grammar, language, taste, relevance, coherence, judgment and the law. This is not an issue of freedom of expression, but a matter of upholding standards. This applies to all columnists, including Dr Lee, who has often written about not expecting or accepting special treatment."

Mr Devan, who had Facebook exchanges with Dr Lee, had said reading her unedited writings was like "sailing through a fog".

But he had good things to say too: "The effort of turning her raw material into coherent articles - that's what I remember most about editing Wei Ling. That effort was often worth it because she had something valuable to offer, as her many fans can attest."

chenj@sph.com.sg

The cult of Mao

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

Reuters

LET us call a spade a spade. With higher incomes among the wealthy, the six-figure tax reliefs claimable by high-income mothers from the Working Mother's Child Relief (WMCR) has become a significant tax loophole that needed to be fixed in the 2016 Budget.

In the debate about whether the new S$80,000 personal relief income cap is fair for high-income working mothers, the focus should not be on the women alone, who deserve plaudits for their achievements. Rather, society should examine the family unit behind the high-income mother. Successful, well-educated, high-income women are more likely to meet and fall in love with well-educated, high-income men. This pattern of assortative mating - people marrying others like themselves - is getting more pronounced over time.

High-income families, with their six-figure tax reliefs, get to enjoy tens of thousands of dollars of extra tax savings compared to ordinary families every year. These monies were, in all likelihood, funnelled into enrichment activities for their already-privileged children: tuition to enter the Gifted Education Programme, extra sports and arts lessons to qualify them for Direct School Admission exercises into the Integrated Programmes at elite junior colleges. The savings would have been used to send children to overseas universities if they could not get into local ones.

The children were also likely helped along by an internship at a bulge-bracket investment bank or top-tier law firm, because mummy's colleague or daddy's golf buddy offered it to them. Fresh in the workforce, they meet and fall in love with other successful, well-educated young people. And if the happy couple wants to buy a place, daddy and mummy on both sides are all too happy to chip in for the District 9-10-11 condominium down payment.

The odds are already stacked in favour of the wealthy in terms of getting ahead in life. So it will be churlish for those earning S$150,000 and above a year - at least the 88th percentile of taxpayers based on 2014 tax data - to complain bitterly of unfairness. This is the income above which working mothers will be affected by the new tax relief cap. Those at the borderline have to pay a few hundred to a few thousand dollars more. At the other extreme, those with many children and earning S$300,000 and above (96th percentile and up) might see their tax bill increase by S$20,000.

Unfortunately, there are those who would argue against making Singapore's tax system more progressive. Singapore's baby drive is being harmed, they moan. Working mothers are being discriminated against. It is strange that people who have been arguing, for years, that tax breaks do not make a difference to whether women have children, are suddenly claiming the opposite. Lamentably, even those who are not affected directly by the tax relief cap are drawn into thinking they are somehow wronged, when the government is only trying to put a wrong situation right.

Parents would of course always want the best for their children. And for high-income households running tight on finances because of property and healthcare commitments, every cent counts. Households where the woman is the main breadwinner will also feel the pinch. But some perspective is surely needed, especially by individuals making a six-digit income a year.

Few Singaporeans will see that kind of money in their lifetimes. Paying a bit more tax will not hurt.

This article was first published on April 7, 2016.
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THE husband and daughter of a teacher who died in 2007 while delivering her son, will have their day in court to seek dependency claims from her obstetrician and Thomson Medical Centre (TMC). This was allowed although their suit was filed past the three-year statutory limitation period.

The Court of Appeal yesterday ruled that father and daughter should be allowed to pursue their claims, overturning a lower court decision, which had struck out their claims on the grounds that they were time-barred from suing.

The three-judge court said it seems that there was an arguable case that the late disclosure of a set of medical reports "might have resulted in the concealment of the cause of action and resulted in the late commencement of the suit".

The trial judge will have to decide if the defendants can be prevented from using the limitation defence on the grounds that they had acted fraudulently to conceal negligence, said the court. The patient and her family cannot be named for legal reasons.

In September 2007, the woman, who was given oxyto-cin to induce labour, died during childbirth from acute amniotic fluid embolism. The baby, who suffered brain damage at birth, has severe disabilities.

In the months after her death, her husband asked her obstetrician Koh Cheng Huat for a medical report and TMC for a copy of his wife's medical records.

However, it appeared that the cardiotocography (CTG) reading, which monitors the foetal heart beat and labour contractions, was incomplete.

In January 2014, the man and his two children filed a negligence suit for damages, including dependency claims and claims for physical injury to the son.

Five months later, portions of the CTG records that were previously omitted were finally provided to the husband.

selinal@sph.com.sg

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SINGAPORE - New public bus operator Go-Ahead Singapore said today (April 7) that it has hired 424 bus captains since it announced its employment package on Feb 15. This is 60 per cent of the 700 bus captain positions it is looking to fill before starting operation in September this year.

Go-Ahead Singapore is set to operate 25 bus services in Pasir Ris and Punggol.

It was revealed in November that Go-Ahead Singapore - a subsidiary of The Go-Ahead Group in Britain - beat seven other shortlisted bidders to win the Government's Loyang package bus contract.

Go-Ahead said that 358 of the bus captains it has hired are currently serving on the routes under the Loyang package, meaning that 87 per cent of bus captains affected by the change of operator have accepted its job offers.

Managing director Nigel Wood - who has said that he started off as a bus driver in London over 20 years ago - said in the statement that bus captains "will be the frontline staff that represent all we stand for, and will literally drive us forward".

Go-Ahead said that it started training bus captains last month and will put the new hires through "induction sessions on company culture, guidelines and protocols as well as practical training for route familiarisation".

Recruitment activities are still on-going, and Go-Ahead said that it expects to fill all 700 bus captain positions before starting operation.

sinsh@sph.com.sg

Singaporeans to enjoy London-style bus services in 2016

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

Tower Transit, Go-Ahead

SINGAPORE - Start a family or have children and get rewarded.

$100 is what national servicemen will get as part of the new Celebratory Gifts scheme, announced Senior Minister of State for Defence Ong Ye Kung at the Committee of Supply Debate On Thursday (April 7), as part of a series of Government initiatives to recognise national servicemen.

Mr Ong said: "We have been finding ways to show appreciation to our national servicemen, and those who support them - the NSman Tax Relief, NS Housing, Medical and Education Awards, Safra facilities."

"These forms of recognition are important to let them know their sacrifices are deeply appreciated, and for the greater good of Singapore," he added.

Other than the family celebratory gift, here's what the Ministry of Defence will be spending some its budget on:

NS Excellence Award enhanced

The Family Recognition Voucher scheme, which will be renamed NS Excellence Award, will be enhanced from April 1.

More NSmen will be awarded for their good performance during In-camp Trainings (ICTs) and NS courses as the number of those who will be rewarded will increase from top 10 per cent to top 30 per cent.

The top 10 per cent will receive $200, while the next 20 per cent will receive $100.

Enhanced insurance coverage

Each serviceman will be covered for $150,000 in group term life and in group personal accident insurance.

This will cover all incidents during full-time NS and operationally-ready NS activities, Mr Ong said.

Better SAFRA facilities

It was earlier announced that the new SAFRA Punggol club will be completed in April 2016.

Mr Ong said he had visited the clubhouse and believes it will "serve the 82,000 NSmen and their families living in the North-east region of Singapore well".

New NS Mark accreditation scheme

This scheme recognises organisations supportive of NS and Total Defence, and encourages more employers and businesses to adopt human resource practices that support NSmen.

Under the scheme, organisations will be awarded either the NS Mark, or the more prestigious NS Mark (Gold).

Singapore sons living overseas who came back for NS

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The New Paper, Republic of Singapore Navy

SINGAPORE - Some of the most popular tech products in Singapore will be discounted from Monday (April 11) until May 13.

AsiaOne has partnered online retailer Qoo10 to launch a pop-up store, "Shop the PCA finalists" at www.qoo10.sg/pca2016, to sell the products that our readers have voted for.

These products - including tablets, laptops, cameras and smartphones - are finalists for the AsiaOne People's Choice Awards 2016 in six categories.

The People's Choice Awards is AsiaOne's annual event that gives readers the chance to vote for their favourite products and brands in a range of categories. Into its eighth year, the award has 30 categories this year, including Best Car, Best Buffet Restaurant, Best Credit Card and Best Local Attraction.

Winners of the award will be announced at a ceremony at the Singapore Press Holdings News Centre Auditorium on April 21.

AsiaOne and Qoo10 said in a statement today (April 7) that this is the first time they have partnered to set up an online shop to reward readers and customers.

"This year, we want to turn our attention to the consumption habits of our readers and how they use technology to make purchase decisions," said AsiaOne acting editor Karen Lim.

sinsh@sph.com.sg

He had persistently denied being directly involved in the running of The Real Singapore (TRS) socio-political website.

Then, on Wednesday, when he took the stand in his defence, Yang Kaiheng testified that he and his then-girlfriend, Ai Takagi, had started a Facebook page to petition for the removal of new Member of Parliament (MP) Tin Pei Ling after the General Election in May 2011.

The success of that page inspired the couple to start an online business and spark the creation of TRS, he said during examination by his lawyer, Mr Choo Zheng Xi.

In a dramatic turn of events yesterday, Yang's testimony would lead to him having to admit that he had lied about Takagi's involvement in the Facebook page, and that he, in fact, had started the page by himself.

The crux of the matter was when the page was created and when he had got to know Takagi, which he admitted was "one to two months" before September 2011, when they got into a relationship.

During cross-examination, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) G. Kannan told Yang that it was impossible for Takagi to have a hand in the anti-Tin Pei Ling Facebook page because they had yet to meet at the time.

Yang countered that his memory was hazy and he could not remember exactly when he met Takagi, but he was certain she had set up the Facebook page with him.

DPP Kannan then revealed that the prosecution had access to a log of WhatsApp messages between the couple that were "very personal and embarrassing" but would prove they met only after the anti-Tin Pei Ling Facebook page was set up.

Despite Mr Choo trying to interject, Yang asked for the messages not to be tendered to the court as evidence and conceded: "I admit I am lying."

DPP Kannan then charged that Yang had set up the petition Facebook page on his own.

Yang replied: "Possibly."

DPP Kannan said: "You gave this lie about her starting up the Tin Pei Ling Facebook page together with you because you needed an explanation why she would progress to taking over the TRS website, because she was interested in Singapore politics."

He added that Yang needed the court to believe his story that "an Australian girl took over sole control of TRS, a site dealing with entirely local issues, more believable".

COVER UP

And all these were lies to cover up that Yang was continually involved in the running of TRS, said DPP Kannan.

Yang disagreed.

The couple, who tied the knot last October, were charged last April with seven counts of sedition for allegedly using TRS to "maliciously exploit racial and xenophobic fault lines" to drive traffic to the website and cash in on the advertising revenue. (See report above.)

Yang, 27, a Singaporean, claimed trial and had told authorities his involvement was "fleeting".

Takagi, 23, an Australian who is 10 weeks pregnant, was jailed for 10 months on March 23 after pleading guilty to four counts of sedition.

The Real Singapore duo arrested for sedition

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

The New Paper, The Straits Times

Yesterday, DPP Kannan also pointed out discrepancies in Yang's statements to the police and the court.

For example, Yang told police officers in 2012 that he never thought of TRS as revenue-generating.

But on Wednesday, Yang testified that TRS was created after "we thought a website without censorship and more freedom of speech (would be) a good business venture".

Challenged by DPP Kannan, Yang said: "The questions that the police asked... I don't see the relevance... I was told can say no or deny it."

PLATFORM

He said TRS had two purposes - to provide a platform for average Singaporeans to voice out and operate as a business.

He also said he did not have a lawyer at the time.

DPP Kannan then pointed out that Yang's lawyer had sent out a letter on Feb 25 last year, two weeks before the police interview on March 13.

Yang then said his lawyer was not with him during the interview to advise him on what to say.

DPP Kannan replied: "That is television. This is real life."

The trial continues today.

If found guilty, Yang can be jailed up to three years and fined up to $5,000 for each sedition charge.

Accused: I helped set up the website, but wife manages it

I didn't know the risk and danger in associating myself with socio-political website The Real Singapore (TRS).

That was what Yang Kaiheng, 27, told the court during his examination-in-chief yesterday.

Defence lawyer Choo Zheng Xi asked Yang why he had referred to TRS as "my website" in chat logs with his friend, Mr K. Sudesh Durai, who testified for the prosecution on Tuesday.

Yang replied that he "took pride" in helping to set up the TRS website and did not think it was necessary then to dissociate himself from TRS.

Mr Choo also asked Yang why he had listed himself as responsible for marketing for TRS in an entry form submitted for an entrepreneurial competition.

Yang said Mr Durai had instructed him to upsell his portfolio so they stood the best chance in getting funding for their start-up project called Acreet.

Yang said his wife, Ai Takagi, 23, was responsible for day-to-day business and editorial content of TRS.

When Singapore Press Holdings sued the couple for copyright infringement, it was Takagi who issued the apology and paid the undisclosed compensation fee, Yang said.

Yang said he was not involved in the settlement of the suit as he was not an editor, administrator, moderator or developer of TRS.

"I did not need to apologise," Yang said.

Asked if he had considered writing for TRS, Yang said he did, but was hampered by his poor English.

He said he failed his A-level General Paper examination twice and had to retake it during national service.

Yang also said he would occasionally use his wife's Skype account, "able_tree", to phone his mother or chat with his friends, but never to do TRS-related work.

Exchanges in court

DPP G. Kannan: It would have been impossible for you and Ms Takagi to follow GE 2011 if you didn't meet her until September 2011, right?

Yang Kaiheng: I disagree, I would have known her by then.

DPP: Do you agree it would have been impossible for you to set up (the anti-Tin Pei Ling) Facebook page together when you have yet to meet her since you said you only met her one to two months before Sept 2011.

Yang: I am certain I set up the FB page with her.

DPP: You say you're certain you knew her in 2011. You're certain you set up a Facebook page. Are you now saying you met her in May?

Yang: I don't know exactly when. I can't recall.

DPP: You're lying that you knew her during the GE 2011 period.

Yang: I disagree because I do know her. I do remember setting up the FB page with her.

DPP: Your Honour, I did not want to do this but we have WhatsApp messages backed up from a Robin's (Yang's Christian name) iPhone, which we retrieved from a MacBook.

(Turns to Yang) These make it very clear that you met Ms Takagi one to two months before Sept 2011. They are of a very personal and embarrassing nature. Or would you care to admit you lied?

Defence lawyer Choo Zheng Xi: I don't recall my client saying that Ms Takagi...

Yang: It's okay, Your Honour, I admit I am lying.

ON THE DISCREPANCIES IN STATEMENTS

DPP: I put it to you that these questions where you either said you never thought of TRS as revenue-generating, or said you don't know it was revenue-generating because you were not involved, are all lies to persuade the police that TRS was not money-making.

Yang: It's not a lie. I was not sure what information to give, or what would get me into trouble.

DPP: So you were hiding information from the police?

Yang: I disagree. If my lawyer told me I can say something, I will say.

DPP: You lied to the police when you said you didn't know what Elance (an online freelancer portal where Yang had set up an account) was.

Yang: I disagree. I didn't know what to say... I was being defensive... Not telling the police anything that would get me into trouble.

DPP: You lied because you wanted to dissociate yourself from TRS

Yang: I'm not going to admit to something that I'm not involved in.

rloh@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on April 8, 2016.
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SINGAPORE'S government expects global economic uncertainty to weigh on the country's growth until the end of the decade, and it is ready to provide more help when necessary, said Trade Minister Lim Hng Kiang.

Even so, the government continues to fashion Singapore's external environment through trade agreements, and is making efforts to help companies and specific sectors to overcome challenges.

In responding to questions from Members of Parliament on Thursday about the Ministry of Trade and Industry's (MTI) plans for expenditure in financial year 2016, Mr Lim gave a clear indication of how long the current volatility is expected last.

Noting that the International Monetary Fund has been downgrading its global growth forecast almost every year since the Global Financial Crisis, Mr Lim said Singapore is now in a "paradigm of slower growth".

"Meanwhile, there are significant global rebalancing forces that must work themselves out over the next three to five years," he said.

"The government is watching the situation very closely, and we are prepared to take further action, if necessary," he added.

The expected normalisation of monetary policies by central banks around the world is expected to rock the global economy in the coming years.

Mr Lim said that the low interest rates - some even negative - are "unsustainable" in the long run.

As these rates normalise, financial and currency markets and capital flows will be affected, he said.

Uncertainty over global oil prices will destabilise the global economy in the coming years, said Mr Lim.

This is due to too much investment in oil, which has resulted in an oversupply. As a result, global oil supply and prices will continue to adjust.

China's economic transition is another issue that will be a drag on Singapore's growth, noted Mr Lim, while Singapore's demographic challenges will see the economy having to adjust to a tighter supply of labour.

"The factors above point to an uncertain economic environment for the next few years. Against this backdrop, we expect Singapore's economic growth to remain modest at 1 to 3 per cent this year," he said.

But improved access overseas presents opportunities for Singapore to overcome these challenges, as they will increase demand for the country's goods and services, said Mr Lim, in response to queries from Liang Eng Hwa, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

The enactment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement would significantly brighten prospects for Singapore's external economy, and its passage now seems to hinge largely on the United States ratifying it.

The TPP can be passed if at least six countries, representing at least 85 per cent of the total economic output of the original 12 that inked the agreement, ratify it. Given their size, both the US and Japan would need to ratify the agreement.

While Mr Lim expressed optimism with the progress that the Japanese have made, he was more reserved about the TPP's chances in the US.

While US officials have said that they have a good sense of the possible number of votes the TPP can get in the Congress and Senate, they are now trying to predict how this might change with the coming US presidential elections.

"We are watching the developments," said Mr Lim.

The expected benefits the TPP can bring to Singaporean exports are enormous, as its "regional cumulation" effect will allow Singaporean exports to enjoy strong competitive advantage that current free trade agreements are unable to provide, Mr Lim noted.

Should the TPP come into force, members of other regional agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) - which include Singapore and other TPP signatories - will feel pressurised to ratify them too, said Mr Lim.

"Our trade policy should be inclusionary; we should not be left out, because we want market access to as many markets as possible," he said, responding to MP for Aljunied GRC Low Thia Khiang.

Domestically, MTI will work with companies to help them through the next few years.

It has introduced schemes like the SME (small and medium enterprises) Working Capital Loan and Automation Support Package to help firms overcome growth challenges.

The ministry is also working with trade associations and chambers to drive 30 Collaborative Industry Projects (TAC-CIP) over the next three years, which will help more than 3,000 SMEs, said Mr Lim.

soonwl@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on April 8, 2016.
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After he was flung from his bicycle, the right side of his face smashed into a roadside drain, leaving him barely conscious.

The horrific accident on a late August evening at Tanah Merah Besar Road three years ago almost left Mr Khairul Anwar Wahab blind in his right eye.

But he did not let it stop him from starting his university studies just four days later.

On Wednesday, Mr Khairul, 25, was among 461 students who graduated from the Singapore Institute of Management-University of London (SIM-UOL) programme.

On top of a Second Class (Upper) Honours in banking and finance, he was also a valedictorian at the graduation ceremony.

"I didn't expect to be chosen as valedictorian. There were so many people who did well in my batch, so I kept asking 'Why me?'" he said.

The second of five siblings told The New Paper yesterday that graduating together with his elder brother, Mr Ahmad Syafi'l Wahab, 26, who received a degree in Business Management from the same university, was the icing on the cake.

Recalling the accident, Mr Khairul, who used to be a fixed gear bicycle enthusiast, described it as the turning point in his life.

Fixed gear bicycles, or fixies, usually do not have brakes, with cyclists using methods like skid-stopping or pace-pedalling to stop the bicycle.

Mr Khairul said: "I was reaching a three-way junction when I saw an oncoming car. I tried to avoid the car but since there were no brakes attached to the bicycle, I lost control.

"The next thing I knew, I was flung off the bicycle and landed face first in a drain by the side of the road."

He was taken to hospital after a jogger found him and called for an ambulance.

Mr Khairul, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, said: "I fractured my right eye socket, tore my lower right eyelid and eyebrows.

"But at that time, all I could think of was that school was starting soon and I didn't want to miss my first day."

He went through two minor operations to close his wounds and underwent face reconstruction surgery during which metal plates were inserted to correct his facial structure.

UNFOUNDED

Fortunately for Mr Khairul, initial fears that he could lose his sight in his right eye turned out to be unfounded.

Four days after the accident, he started his first day of university life.

"In the first week, I went to school with the right part of my face swollen and covered in stitches and bandages," he said.

"Even when I tried to cover my face with a cap and sunglasses, people still gave me strange looks.

"As my face was still healing at that time, I struggled with self-esteem. Sometimes, the right side of my face got droopy and it would swell and subside when I was in a cold room. It got quite uncomfortable.

"But I eventually regained my self-confidence. I didn't want to bother too much about superficial things. I just wanted to focus on my studies."

His girlfriend at the time, Miss Nurul Nasyitah Md Nashir, 25, who was also his varsity mate, told TNP that Mr Khairul has always dreamt big and constantly inspires her.

"There are many things he wants to achieve in his life, so I was not surprised when he turned up in school on the first day," said the accounts executive.

"During the first week, he told me he just wanted to hide at the back of the lecture theatre. It broke my heart because he was not that kind of guy."

Miss Nasyitah, who is now engaged to Mr Khairul, said: "He has come a long way from hiding behind his cap and sunglasses to being confident with his looks. This is what I admire most about him."

Dr Zhang Jianlin, head of programmes at SIM Global Education, remembers the first time he met Mr Khairul.

"He had just gone through an operation a few days earlier and had bandages covering his eyes when he came to class," said Dr Zhang, who was Mr Khairul's economics lecturer.

"I could feel him struggling to follow my lecture initially but after several weeks, he got more confident. At times, he even challenged me on theories he didn't quite agree with.

"I remember his incisive questions and his persistence for clarifications until his doubts were cleared."

Mr Khairul said the accident was a setback, but he refused to let it drag him down.

"I had to constantly revise my studies to make up for my disability at that time," he said.

"Even so, I'm happy I overcame this chapter in my life because it motivated me to work harder."

Aiming to work in financial crime compliance, he added: "I want to educate the community about the finance sector with a focus on Islamic banking in the future."

Mr Khairul, who no longer rides, said wistfully: "If I could do it all over again, I'd have brakes on my bike and wear a helmet."

2,619 to graduate from SIM-UOL

A total of 2,619 students are graduating from the SIM-UOL degree and graduate diploma programmes this year.

Out of the total number, 461 students graduated with bachelor's degrees in economics, banking and finance, and mathematics and economics.

The graduation, which spans six sessions from April 6 till today, at the SIM HQ Campus also saw 169 students receiving first class honours.

The guest-of-honour, Ang Mo Kio MP Intan Azura Mokhtar, told the graduates at the first session on April 6: "Find your work opportunities not just in Singapore or the region, but cast your net wide and explore the possibilities of being employed anywhere.

"Once you have gained substantial global experience, come back to Singapore and find ways to contribute to our economy and the experiences at home so that Singapore - this little red dot - continues to thrive and shine."

This year also marks the 30th year of SIM Global Education's partnership with the University of London.

fnawang@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on April 8, 2016.
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EVERY day stories about leaking roofs, petty squabbles and rice and ghee rations may be mundane, but the Straits Settlements Records (SSR) are also a treasure trove of historical information about British colonial rule in Singapore.

Some records date back to 1807, even before Singapore became a British colony. The handwritten records give us an interesting insight into the matters colonial rulers dealt with on a daily basis.

As a part of the Citizen Archivist Project, the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) has put up digitised microfilms of these records on their website. Members of the public are welcome to help in transcribing them.

It is a monumental job as many of the papers in the SSR are in fragile condition. They are written in cursive handwriting and some are faded, smudged or illegible - making them difficult to decipher. It is therefore very rewarding for an archivist to be able to fathom and record for future generations the story of where it all began.

I should know, as I am one of the more than 250 volunteers who have contributed to the project. The NAS is hoping to transcribe a million of these records by 2019 - the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles' landing in Singapore.

More than 9,000 of these pages have been transcribed while another 1,600 old photographs have been described by the community so far, said The Straits Times in an earlier report.

Familiar names pop up in the SSR, previously identified only as roads and buildings. Cuppage Terrace is named after William Cuppage, the acting postmaster general in the 1840s. Purvis Street takes its name from John Purvis, a sheriff of Kampong Glam.

The pages are sprinkled with references to roads as we know them now - Beach Road, North Bridge Road, Arab Street etc.

Transcribers not only deal with an antiquated style of writing, but also with words from regional languages as well. Hindi makes an appearance with words like "bhatta" (allowance) and "sicca" (coin), for example.

It's quite a linguistic feat to read through it all and, if not recorded now, many of these words will also disappear so it becomes even more difficult for future generations to decipher them.

The papers dealing with the early part of the 19th century paint the story of a region which was forested, undeveloped and rural.

It was in need of laws and charters to develop it. By the beginning of the 20th century, the tone of the records shifts from basic policy matters, to dealing with a more evolved government structure.

It is not all about government matters, however.

There are interesting nuggets like how, in 1858 Singapore was so infested with tigers that people had put up tiger pits in order to trap them and in turn receive a reward from the government for helping to clear the island of tigers.

The volunteer archivists are often stumped by the handwriting. Whenever a double "s" appears, it seems to be an "f" and "s" leaving them wondering if "afsefsment" was a word at that time.

This is where experience comes in handy. Knowing the context of the records also makes them easier to understand.

When written in cursive hand W and M seem the same.

Do the papers refer to Mr J. Kerr or W.J. Kerr? Passionate archivists even go to the extent of searching online for more information to get the correct spelling of names and places.

Transcribing is not something that can be taken casually.

Since history is being recorded, accuracy is of prime importance. All pages have to be transcribed as is, including spelling errors and abbreviations. Unreadable text has to be left alone.

The thoroughness of record keeping by the British colonists is praiseworthy.

Even more creditable is the massive effort being put in by the NAS to preserve the records in its repository.

It is a humbling experience to know where we came from, the hard work and effort that went into creating Singapore, and of the individuals who built their lives here.

It is at the same time enriching to be able to play a part in maintaining these old records and saving them for posterity.

It would be wonderful if more people came forward and volunteered their time to restoring these archives.

The story of Kunnuck Mistree

THE Straits Settlements Records (SSR) have scattered references to an Indian convict named Kunnuck Mistree. When pieced together, there emerges an interesting story of a man convicted of larceny and sent to Bencoolen in 1818.

He was moved to Singapore in 1825.

Mistree was working as a dresser in the convict hospital in Bencoolen and he continued to be employed in the same position in Singapore.

Over the years he won accolades and appreciation from his superiors and those who came in contact with him for his diligence and good conduct.

In 1846 he decided to apply for a ticket of leave which allowed him to live anywhere in Singapore and follow any profession of his choice.

He then worked as a native holistic doctor.

In 1856 when he was nearly 70 years old, he decided he would like to return to India to spend his last years and die on the banks of the Ganges river.

His appeal was granted, and he was allowed to return, but not before he had given away his land in Singapore for religious purposes.

His story, which would have been lost but for the SSR, gives a human face to the term "convict labour". He spent nearly 40 years of his life in Singapore.

tabla@sph.com.sg

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Have an extra $5.5 million lying around the house? That's exactly how much you will need if you decide to get a Princess 75 motor yacht. This super yacht made its debut at the Singapore Yacht Show 2016 that is now on until Sunday, Apr 10.

The hefty price is not really surprising since Princess Yachts have become synonymous with the finest in luxury motor yacht design, and is part of the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton family.

The yacht is specially designed to be enjoyed with friends and family. Advanced technology has allowed Princess Yachts to produce a lighter hull than its competitors. This means less fuel burned and more cost-efficiency because she's lighter as well as improved manoeuverability and speed.

The yacht is also fully customisable which makes it a good option for fussy buyers.

Sean Stratton, general manager in the Asia/Pacific region for Princess Yachts said, "I feel that all boats have a personality and the Princess 75 is definitely a very 'homely' boat".

From $800,000 to $5.5 million boats at Singapore Yacht Show 2016

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

AsiaOne, Princess Yachts

He told AsiaOne that the boat is specifically designed for the Asian market since Asians are thought to be generally closer to their families and believe in "family time".

This year is a special one for Princess Yachts as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. To commemorate their birthday, they restored the first model produced by them - Project 31.

The company welcomed back some of the original craftsmen who worked on the first model to work with their apprentices at their shipyards.

Not only did they restore the yacht back to its former glory, but also made some major improvements such as replacing the old engine with a newer one, and replacing older parts with stronger and lighter materials.

Project 31 debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September and is currently on a world tour, and in Singapore. Visitors to the Singapore Yacht Show can check it out among the dry dock displays.

However, if you don't have millions set aside for a luxury yacht, you can also get one for $800,000, and still enjoy royalty treatment.

Cranchi is a family business based in Italy which prides itself on the cost efficiency of its products as well as its affordability.

Hong Seh Motors Pte Ltd has a long standing partnership with Cranchi and work together to provide quality service at an affordable price for yacht owners in Singapore.

April 7, also the opening day of the Singapore Yacht Show, marks the launch of the new 43 Eco Trawler which is approximately 43 feet, or 13 metres, in length. The size of the trawler enables easy navigation around a marina - in this case, One Degree 15 Marina at Sentosa, where the Singapore Yacht show is being held.

Cranchi expects it to be a hit among visitors at the Singapore Yacht Show because of its compact size and affordability. The 43 Eco Trawler has also won the European Powerboat of the Year 2015 award, in the category up to 45 feet.

"The launch of the new 43 Eco Trawler enables Singaporeans to enjoy luxury boating at a reasonable price as well as less issues involving maintenance with the support of Hong Seh," said Stefano Luraschi, sales and marketing manager for Cranchi.

While Cranchi supply the yacht, Hong Seh Motors provides the service. This means providing insurance, licensing, registration of the yacht, as well as pretty much whatever the customer needs. Hong Seh Motors follows a "pay as you use" policy.

"I started this system because I bought a boat myself and I didn't have anyone to show me how to make full use of it, which made me really annoyed," said Edward Tan, executive director of Hong Seh Motors.

"There is really no point in owning a yacht if owners have no idea how to use it; we are there to show them how by helping them out should they encounter any problem with their yacht," added Mr Tan.

The Singapore Yacht Show is being held at One Degree 15 Marina at Sentosa until Sunday, Apr 10. Find out more about the show here, what else is on display here, and where the after-parties are at here.

ryanho@sph.com.sg

SINGAPORE - A fake website phishing for visitors' visa and passport numbers has been circulating online, according to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

In a statement issued on Friday (April 8), ICA warned the public to be careful not to fall prey to such scams and to exercise caution.

A police report has been lodged by ICA and the authority said that it will bring down the website and will continue to monitor the situation.

The statement said: "Members of the public are also advised to use only the official ICA website at www.ica.gov.sg for all informational and transactional needs concerning ICA matters."

ICA has given the assurance that access to its official website remains unaffected and no data has been compromised.

"ICA takes a serious view of such fake websites as they undermine public trust in our system and processes," added the statement.

stephluo@sph.com.sg

Mossack Fonseca, the Panamanian law firm at the centre of the document leak, has an office in Singapore. It shares office space in the Jit Poh Building at 19 Keppel Road with TPS Corporate Services, a firm that helps clients set up and manage companies in different jusrisdictions, both onshore and offshore.

The chairman of Mossack Fonseca's Singapore office is Mr Peter Tay, who is also the founder and executive chairman of TPS Corporate Services. Mr Tay's online profile also indicates that he has been representing Mossack Fonseca in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia since the 1990s.

He did not respond to a Straits Times request for an interview by press time.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which has access to the leaked files says that globally, Mossack Fonseca has worked with more than 14,000 banks, law firms, company incorporators and other middlemen and intermediaries to set up companies, foundations and trusts for customers.

Panama Papers: Secret accounts of the rich and powerful

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

AFP, Reuters, The Star/ANN

ICIJ added that Mossack Fonseca worked with intermediaries in more than 100 countries.

The countries that had the most active intermediaries in terms of the number of offshore company incorporations were Hong Kong (37,675), Switzerland (34,301) and the United Kingdom (32,682). Singapore, where the intermediaries are said to have set up 4,050 offshore companies, was ranked No. 9.

Singapore is also one of the 21 jurisdictions named by ICIJ as a tax haven used by Mossack Fonseca.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore and Ministry of Finance said in a joint statement on Tuesday that "the relevant agencies in Singapore are reviewing the information being reported in connection with the so-called Panama Papers and are doing the necessary checks".

"If there is evidence of wrong-doing by any individual or entity in Singapore, we will not hesitate to take firm action," said the spokesmen.

This article was first published on April 8, 2016.
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