Funding for startups is off to a strong start in the new year.

On Tuesday, three new funds were unveiled - Marvelstone Ventures, East Ventures and InseadAlum Ventures.

Marvelstone Ventures, the venture capital (VC) arm of Singapore-based private-investment group Marvelstone, has S$20 million in funds, The Business Times has learnt.

An "innovation enabler" and venture-building firm, Marvelstone Ventures will invest in Smart City technologies such as blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and fintech (financial technology).

Joel Ko, chief of Marvelstone Ventures, said: "We are open to all kinds of opportunities to work with investors, related partners and institutions in public and private sectors across Asia. I am looking forward to seeing the adoption of high-end innovation in emerging markets before spreading to the developed market."

East Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm, on Tuesday said that it has raised a US$27.5 million fund for tech startups in South-east Asia. This is the fifth fund by the 2010-founded VC firm, and will target more seed and Series A investment rounds.

East Ventures added that it expects to back about 20 startups this year, as with other years. Its investment philosophy has been to identify tech verticals that are poised to expand in their respective markets, and to back people whom it believes will be "future leaders of the space".

To date, it has made early-stage bets on companies such as Indonesia's online marketplace Tokopedia and travel site Traveloka, Singapore's e-commerce platform Shopback and real estate portal 99.co, and Thailand-based payments startup Omise.

The third funding vehicle launched on Tuesday, InseadAlum Ventures, was founded by two Insead alumni.

The Singapore-based investment firm has raised S$1 million to invest in global, seed-stage startups co-founded by at least one former student of Insead.

InseadAlum Ventures will provide each startup with seed funding of between S$50,000 and S$200,000, mentorship, as well as access to Insead alumni and faculty networks.

Its first investment is in UK-based smart thermostat startup Switchee, where it participated in a £480,000 (S$838,906) seed round.

Switchee's product is a smart, connected thermostat that learns a household's energy routine, and turns the heating off when no one is home. It can also help homeowners detect mould growth and improve boiler servicing.

Meanwhile, Legalese, a homegrown startup aimed at automating legal services, has snagged S$600,000 in angel funding.

The round was led by VC firm Walden International, and joined by multiple angel investors.

Legalese said the capital will go into developing its first web application, which will enable users (startups or small and medium-sized enterprises) to generate, manage and execute fund-raising paperwork, including the main contract and all other ancillary and corporate documentation such as resolutions, waivers and notices.

"Instead of paying S$600 per hour for a lawyer to draft a contract, imagine getting the drafting for free. Instead, you might pay S$1 per signature, no matter what the contract was about. That's the kind of business-model disruption that software promises the legal industry."

Besides fund-raising contracts, Legalese plans to develop software for employment contracts, ESOP (employee stock options plan) agreements, shareholders' agreements, NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), and IP rights assignments.

On Tuesday, local e-commerce supply-chain management firm iCommerce Asia reported that it has bagged S$2 million in pre-Series A funding.

It provides businesses with end-to-end e-commerce solutions ranging from logistics and warehouse management to store creation and digital content production, and counts Cotton On Group and Charles & Keith as its clients.

This article was first published on Jan 11, 2017.
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IN A world of increasing uncertainty and protectionism, changes in the digital space and the rise of the Millennials will be key challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) here, said economists from United Overseas Bank at their 2017 outlook briefing.

These two areas are bigger concerns for Singapore to tackle even as the spotlight lately tends to be on the global economic slowdown and policy changes in the West, according to UOB chief economist Jimmy Koh.

This comes on the back of changes in the digital space altering the physical world, and as Millennials become the consumer and labour force of the country.

While UOB economists expect the slowdown in Asia to be protracted, it will be less severe than initially feared. Mr Koh described it as a "Goldilocks" situation - neither extremely hot nor cold - for the next few years.

But they say that there are still silver linings to be found in Asia, or more specifically ASEAN.

Mr Koh said Asia is less dependent on what happens in the US and Europe. In fact, more activity is emerging out of South-east Asia, such as the ASEAN Economic Community, which he believes is the start of regional integration.

He also pointed out that ASEAN countries still have fiscal leverage when compared to developed countries, due to lower government debt.

Mr Koh said: "It's very easy to become overly negative, especially in a long 'Goldilocks' environment like this. But I think in the global arena, we can see banking models changing from the West to the East, the rise in the middle income, the rise in intra-regional trade - all these bode well for Asia."

On the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) report expected later this month, Mr Koh expects two main fronts to be addressed, namely the structural slowdown and innovation.

He said that the key issue SMEs face in Singapore is cost. But this, in turn, forces traditional businesses to see how they can do things differently.

Mr Koh gave the example of a pest control company he encountered which decided to bring in drones to overcome safety and cost issues.

"It's relooking the same product, the same business, but re-engineered and re-delivered to customers in a different way...

"We need more SMEs to think through these issues and to bring new value. It's how we bring the business closer to the customer instead of the customer coming to you."

Mr Alvin Liew, senior economist at UOB, added that cost is a concern not just for Singapore businesses, but for all developed economies.

"There is no cheap first world country. It's how we try to manage it: transform, change the way we do things, and move up the value chain."

This article was first published on Jan 11, 2017.
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SINGAPORE - 84.3 per cent of the 30,292 school candidates who sat for the 2016 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) examination attained 5 or more passes, setting a new record in three decades.

This year's results is also the fifth consecutive year where the record has been broken, with 2015's cohort of 29,723 students attaining an 83.8 per cent mark.

"(The results of the 2016 GCE O-Level examination) are comparable to that of 2015," the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board said in a joint statement on Wednesday (Jan 11).

96.5 per cent of 2016's cohort managed to attain at least three passes, MOE and SEAB added.

The results for the 1,865 private candidates with at least one pass dipped slightly to 90.2 per cent, down from 90.5 per cent.

This year's cohort includes 44 student-inmates who studied for their 'O' levels while serving their sentences.

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Photo Gallery

Acid attack victim scores 9 points for O-level exams

Source: The Straits Times

Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mr Amrin Amin highlighted these 44 inmates in a Facebook post: "I was at Tanah Merah Prison (TMP) last week and met our Prison School teachers and students.

"Some (of the 44 inmates) are in their early 40s, never too old to learn," the Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC added.

"They have worked hard, value-added in many ways. I am happy to see there are good education opportunities in our prisons - every school is a good school, this school too!"

In an earlier Facebook post, Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng urged students to be continually challenging their limits and remain curious throughout their learning journey.

grongloh@sph.com.sg

SINGAPORE - Retiree Lim Chwee Leong, 64, woke up from his coma on Wednesday (Jan 11), two months after he fell backwards at an escalator at Bishan MRT station.

The incident was among 60 plus others that took place late last year (2016) and cast a spotlight on the safety of the elderly in using escalators.

When The Straits Times visited Mr Lim at Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Wednesday (Jan 11) evening and chatted with him, he was able to nod in response to simple questions. He was also able to move his right leg and hand slightly.

It was the first time Mr Lim had spoken since the accident near the MRT station's exit D on Nov 12.

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Photo Gallery

64-year-old man in coma after falling down MRT escalator

Source:

The Straits Times

His 46-year-old son, Mr Lim Ka Hock, told ST that he received the "good news" in the afternoon through a phone call from his father's girlfriend from the hospital.

"She was yelling in his ear, telling him about how so many people have been helping us," he said. "He will need more time to recover, but I am overjoyed to hear this good news."

Mr Lim said his father had told the girlfriend that he remembered he had a fall at the MRT station.

"As for his memory of other things, he will still need some time, but we are hopeful," he added.

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2016-05-11 14:55:04

Photo Gallery

Fall into escalator gap leaves woman wheelchair bound

Source: The New Paper, Azlin Amran, Azlin Amran's family

There were 63 accidents involving escalators in November and December, according to figures from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) last month (Dec). Nearly four out of five such accidents involved those aged above 60.

Several people have reached out to Mr Lim's family after reading about the incident to offer money and food, including canned items and biscuits.

Non-profit organisation The Ray of Hope Initiative (ROHI) has also started an online fundraising campaign to raise $4,600 for his father's nursing home fees for two months. About $1,410 has been raised to date.

The ROHI's online fundraiser is at: https://simplygiving.com/event/limchweeleong

nghuiwen@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 11, 2017.
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2013-12-24 22:09:28

Photo Gallery

Halting escalator at Orchard MRT station causes 4 to fall

Source: The Straits Times, Omy,

The Traffic Police (TP) are looking to leverage technology such as cameras to catch motorists who drive against the flow of traffic.

And anyone caught wilfully doing so will be dealt with severely, TP Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Sam Tee said yesterday.

This announcement comes after seven such cases were reported between Dec 28 and Jan 7.

Read also

• 1 dead, 3 injured after car goes against flow of traffic on AYE
• Another driver seen going against traffic, this time at Gateway Drive
• More caught on camera driving against traffic flow
• 2nd vehicle in 2 weeks caught going against traffic along AYE towards Tuas

One of them involved a 30-year-old man who allegedly drove his red BMW sports car against the flow of traffic on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) at 1.25am on Jan 5.

The driver, who was arrested and had his car impounded the next day, is expected to be charged with dangerous driving today. He is also being investigated for drink driving.

This happened less than a month after a Mercedes-Benz barrelled down the AYE in the wrong direction, killing a motorist and injuring three others on Dec 19.

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2017-01-05 11:41:32

Photo Gallery

Vehicle caught going against traffic along AYE towards Tuas

Source:

Facebook video screengrabs

But SAC Tee told a press conference at TP headquarters yesterday that cases of vehicles going against the flow of traffic at high speed on an expressway were uncommon.

He noted there were 118 cases of reckless or dangerous driving in the first nine months of last year, down from 189 in the same period in 2015.

Not all of them were related to driving against the flow of traffic. Investigations found that most drivers who drove against the flow of traffic had done so unintentionally, he said.

TRIGGER

Addressing the seven incidents reported in under two weeks, SAC Tee said: "There is probably a trigger (from) the tragic AYE case that reminds and encourages people to send (footage) to us.

"But the key point is whether it was intentional or unintentional."

For example, one of the seven cases involved an elderly driver who mistakenly turned right into the wrong lane and ended up driving his black Mercedes against the flow of traffic along Bedok North Street 1 on Dec 28, said Superintendent Lionel Bok, who heads TP's investigation branch.

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2016-12-22 18:54:41

Photo Gallery

Bangkok truck goes against traffic and damages 41 vehicles

Source:

The Nation/ANN

Investigations did find that the driver of a white Subaru that was filmed going against traffic and allegedly running a red light at Orchid Club Road on Saturday had done so wilfully, said Supt Bok.

Stern action will be taken against him, said SAC Tee, even though a man identifying himself as the driver has posted an apology on Facebook.

SAC Tee also said that TP are looking at technology such as cameras that can detect vehicles moving against traffic to complement their officers.

They are in the midst of determining where and how best to use them.

TP have checked the roads where the seven cases occurred and are working with the Land Transport Authority to make safety improvements, such as possibly posting more road signs.

SAC Tee advised anyone who has information about such incidents to quickly report to the police via their e-feedback channel and send in footage, if any.

Motorists convicted of dangerous driving can be jailed up to a year and fined up to $3,000. Subsequent offenders can be jailed up to two years and fined up to $5,000.

rloh@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2016.
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A school's efforts to raise money for one of its students has caught the attention of the wider community, who are now chipping in to help as well.

Muhammad Hilmi, a student at Meridian Secondary School, and some of his relatives were badly injured in a Christmas Eve accident in Johor.

His mother, Madam Hamimah Mammu, was one of the 14 people killed after the express coach they were in crashed into a ravine while on its way to Kuala Lumpur.

The 16-year-old's father and sister also suffered serious injuries.

On Monday, his school distributed a letter addressed to its students' parents asking for donations for Hilmi and his family.

The letter said Hilmi had undergone surgery on Christmas Day to insert metal rods into his spine and elbow on. His father and sister also had fractures that required surgeries.

The school principal, Mrs Hilda Thong, wrote that Hilmi needs to undergo another surgery on his spine.

"As Hilmi's long period of hospitalisation and medical expenses is financially draining for his family, we would like to help to raise funds for him," she wrote, describing him as a "very polite and respectful" student.

The letter has since made its rounds on social media, going viral. The original post by Facebook user Zaidy Nandir was shared almost 2,000 times as of last evening.

The letter also caught the attention of local actor Shahrin Azhar Mohamed, 45, whose 15-year-old son is also from Meridian Secondary School.

The actor, who became popular in the 1980s with the children's television series Aksi Mat Yoyo, shared the letter with his friends to spread the word to raise funds for Hilmi's family.

Mr Shahrin said: "When I first read the letter, it caused pain in my heart to know that the boy was severely injured. To fight that himself, knowing that his mother is not around, I really felt for him."

Mr Shahrin is a member of Broadwalk Anglers, a group of fishing enthusiasts who are now coming together to donate to Hilmi's family.

One of the members, Mrs Sarah Widjaya, a 36-year-old housewife, said the group is keen to do charity work, and the members had asked if they could help after seeing the letter.

"Some of us are from, or came from, low-income families. Now, since we can help people, we should. I believe what goes around comes around," she said.

Mr Shahrin said he has raised "a couple of thousands" so far, with part of the amount coming from Broadwalk Anglers.

"Any amount is not just a small amount - it is more important we come together as one community or one Singapore.

"I am a father, and sharing with my kids about doing good will also shape their futures," he added.

TOUCHED

Hilmi's aunt, Madam Fatimah Mammu, said she was touched by the school's efforts.

Blinking back tears as she spoke to The New Paper in her flat in Pasir Ris, Madam Fatimah said: "I am very thankful for the help that everyone has shown us. We've left it to the school and are touched by the generosity."

When asked about her injured relatives' condition, Madam Fatimah said Hilmi and his family members are still recovering, and they need plenty of rest.

Although the tragedy is still fresh on their minds, Madam Fatimah said the family, which also lives in Pasir Ris, is slowly recovering.

"They were badly injured and need to recover, but the donations we have received will help them recover from their injuries and their loss," she said.

tnp@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2017.
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Students who sat the wrong O-level mathematics paper last October collected their result slips yesterday after a long and nervous wait.

And many would have been relieved: The majority received grades that were similar to or better than the results for their schools' preliminary exams, said the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).

But some students told The Straits Times that their results for the subject had dropped a few grades.

The SEAB did not give a breakdown of students who had fared better or worse.

Last October, 73 Secondary 5 students - 24 from Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School and 49 from Woodgrove Secondary School - sat the wrong O-level maths paper after a mix-up in the subject codes during registration.

The SEAB told The Straits Times that the overall performance of the affected students was "comparable to the respective schools' past performances" for the subject at the O levels.

Woodgrove Secondary student Mira Shafiqah was among those whose grades improved.

The 18-year-old, who attained a B3 for maths at her preliminary exam, scored an A2 at the O levels.

She said many of her schoolmates received grades within expectations.

Several, however, did not expect to fare poorly for the subject.

An Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary student, who declined to be named, went from an A1 to a C5.

"It was a big shock," he said. "Many of my classmates got similar results."

Read also: Maths mix-up: Schools say they could have done more

During the exam, students came across a few questions they were unfamiliar with.

They later realised that the paper they had taken was different from the one they had studied for, after comparing the subject code on their entry proofs with that of their 10-year series.

The SEAB said the two schools in the mix-up "had indicated the wrong syllabus code during the registration process".

Both schools admitted their oversight.

After the schools learnt of the error, they immediately notified the SEAB to ensure the students took the maths Paper 2 the next day under the correct syllabus.

Students did not have to resit the paper.

Earlier, the exam board said students would be fairly assessed.

Besides the students' preliminary exam grades, it considered factors such as the circumstances of the incident, their performance in the other maths paper and the cohort's performance.

Some parents were initially unhappy that their children's preliminary exam results would be considered as part of the assessment.

They said such papers, taken before national exams like the O levels, are typically tougher, and students may not be as well prepared.

They were later reassured by the schools that the grading process would be fair, taking into account the other factors.

SEAB said "the use of schools' preliminary examination results is part of the existing processes for candidates who are affected by unforeseen circumstances".

In a statement yesterday, the Education Ministry said it had worked with the two schools to review the registration process for future exams, with additional checks put in place to ensure such mistakes do not happen again.

Read also: 2016 O-level candidates set record for 5 or more passes

calyang@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2017.
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A bus driver who contracted a deadly infection while on a pilgrimage to Mecca died yesterday, a day before his family was due to fly him home from a Jordan hospital.

Mr Abdul Ghafur Mohd Ibrahim, a Singapore permanent resident from Malaysia, was 59.

He had had his left leg amputated last month when bacterial infection set in in the wound he had suffered from a fall a month ago.

His death was said to be due to cardiac arrest, his son-in-law Mohamad Ameen Said Abdul Kadir told The Straits Times.

Read also

• Family gets $38,000 in donations
• Medical fees 'too high' for family

Said Mr Ameen, 37, an operations manager: "We were all looking forward to his return. But God has other plans for my father-in-law. We have decided to bury him in Amman."

Mr Abdul Ghafur and his wife had left with a group on Dec 11 for the minor pilgrimage, known as an "umrah", to Saudi Arabia.

While there, he fell after he was pushed, and someone stepped on his left ankle.

Two weeks later, while in Amman, Jordan, blisters began to form on his foot and he had to be hospitalised.

Despite being given antibiotics, the infection spread to his groin, and his left leg was amputated above the knee to stem it.

His family was faced with a medical bill of nearly $150,000 which it could not afford.

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2017-01-08 13:47:04

Photo Gallery

Man's left leg amputated after being infected with flesh-eating bacteria

Source:

Facebook/Rubiah Suib

The insurance coverage of $20,000 for hospitalisation and $50,000 for repatriation that Mr Abdul Ghafur had bought before going on the umrah was insufficient to cover his escalating medical fees.

But the public stepped in after learning of his plight on Facebook and in the media.

Last Friday, Mr Ameen said his family had collected around $38,000 in donations.

"We are obliged to inform the public (of my father-in-law's death) as my family is indebted to them," he said.

Mr Ayoob Angullia of ST&T International, the only company authorised to sell insurance to pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia, told ST he was informed of the death by staff of the Malaysian consulate in Amman.

As a result of Mr Abdul Ghafur's situation, the insurance coverage for all pilgrims going on their umrah may soon be revised.

The changes may see an increase in medical coverage and unlimited repatriation coverage but pilgrims will be expected to pay higher premiums.

ST&T International was coordinating the medical evacuation for Mr Abdul Ghafur.

A doctor and a nurse would have accompanied him on the flight home.

Mr Abdul Ghafur's medical bills had also been negotiated to a lower amount equivalent to $81,000, which has been settled.

zaihan@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2017.
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Oil giants Shell and ExxonMobil both had busy starts to the week.

Shell had a chemical leak at its Pulau Bukom manufacturing site on Monday, while a fire broke out at ExxonMobil's Jurong Island chemical plant on Sunday morning.

No one was hurt in either incident, and both companies are investigating the causes.

A Shell spokesman said the chemical leak occurred in a unit that was already closed for maintenance and "mitigating measures were immediately taken".

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the leak on Monday afternoon.

Though it was not needed, it made its resources readily available at the site while Shell contractors contained the leak.

Shell did not say what the chemical was, citing commercial confidentiality.

The spokesman said: "There is no adverse impact expected in the water or the surroundings. Shell has a health, safety, security and environment policy and we are strongly committed to it."

The fire at ExxonMobil's chemical plant happened at 5.30am on Sunday and was put out by the SCDF and ExxonMobil's in-house emergency response team within 25 minutes of SCDF's arrival.

SCDF said the ExxonMobil fire at 100 Jurong Island Highway involved residual hydrocarbon.

An ExxonMobil spokesman said: "Safety is a core value at all our operations and facilities. We learn from all incidents and use these lessons to reinforce our commitment to continued safety improvement.

"While we manage our business with the goal of preventing incidents, we are prepared for emergencies should they occur and can respond quickly and effectively."

Read also: Pavilion Energy partners ExxonMobil for LNG bunkering solutions

kxinghui@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2017.
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Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens, which had a muted response at the start three years ago, are now seeing higher demand and enrolments.

Last year, there were 1,300 applications for places in the 15 kindergartens, which were set up by MOE to develop fresh approaches and best practices in early education. It was a 50 per cent increase from the 850 applications in 2015.

At four of the 15 kindergartens - at Punggol Green, Punggol View, Sengkang Green and Yishun - parents even had to ballot for places. The number of places varies from 60 to 120 at the centres.

The higher demand has also meant higher enrolment at the kindergartens. Currently, 2,300 children are enrolled in the kindergartens across the island.

This is a big change from the first year, when only about half of the 560 places offered were taken up.

Some parents had then cited the lack of childcare and school bus arrangements as reasons for the lukewarm response.

However, 12 of these centres now also offer before- and after-school care, up to 7pm. The programme, Kindergarten Care, is run by PCF Sparkletots Preschools.

MOE said four in five children enrolled live within 1km of their kindergarten, which indicates that proximity to home is one of the draws.

But several parents interviewed said they were also attracted by the fact that the kindergartens are MOE-run and are housed within primary schools, with good facilities.

A dozen of the centres are housed within primary schools.

Parents also liked the play-based curriculum and that all the three main mother tongue languages - Chinese, Malay and Tamil - were taught at the centres.

They also felt that the teachers were of high quality and the monthly fees of $150 for the four-hour programme were affordable.

Parent Cindy Ngo said: "The facilities were better than many other pre-schools I looked at... and my son had a lot of space to play."

Madam Ngo, who runs a small business, said she did not know much about play-based curriculum, but saw a change in her son Jun Long after he started attending the kindergarten at Punggol View.

"He was more confident and would ask his teachers a lot of questions. He is doing well in Primary 2 now," she said.

The kindergartens were set up to pilot innovative teaching methods and share them with the pre-school sector. These include focusing on learning through play, and placing strong emphasis on bilingualism.

A classroom, for instance, might be turned into a restaurant, so pupils can practise language and mathematics skills through designing the menu and role-playing.

Another highlight is that children learn through stories, songs and dances with a distinct local flavour.

Church caretaker William Andy said his son Aloysius, who attended the kindergarten at Blangah Rise Primary school, is now an avid reader.

"He brings back books from school all the time and asks me to read with him."

MOE had said it was open to expanding the number of kindergartens beyond the 15 now.

Parents with young children welcome it.

Said former teacher Theresa Foo, 28, who has two children aged two and four: "All the research shows that early education is important and it has to be of good quality to give children a good start in life.

"And MOE has the resources to ensure that it is one of high quality."

sandra@sph.com.sg

1,300

Number of applications last year for places in the 15 kindergartens set up by the Education Ministry.

50 per cent

Percentage of increase from the 850 applications in 2015.

2,300

Number of children enrolled in the MOE kindergartens across the island.

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

More than 250 paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will serve hospital attachments over the next six years, in a move to hone the skills of emergency services here.

This is in response to the complex needs of Singapore's ageing population - with four in 10 emergency calls in 2015 involving seniors.

Older people tend to have multiple health problems, which means paramedic training must get more sophisticated, explained SCDF chief medical officer Ng Yih Yng.

"When we manage the patients today, as compared with 20 years ago, (they) no longer have one problem where you can apply a single protocol," he said. "We need to evolve the training from just application of protocol towards critical thinking and problem-solving... How do they prioritise and which is the problem they need to solve immediately."

Yesterday, the SCDF inked a training deal with healthcare group SingHealth at a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Under the agreement, 14 nurses from the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) will also be seconded to the SCDF's 995 operations centre.

This builds on an earlier pilot scheme involving four nurses that showed good results, including improving survival rates, said Associate Professor Marcus Ong, director of the unit for pre-hospital emergency care at the Health Ministry.

"Last month, one of my nurses told me that she gave instructions over the phone when someone was choking on a fishball... and that person was saved," said Prof Ong, who is also a senior consultant at SGH's emergency medicine department.

"This is a very practical example of the difference they can make."

Both parties are also working to develop a programme to train senior paramedics to teach these advanced skills, eventually establishing them as paramedic educators.

Between 2011 and 2015, the number of emergency calls to the SCDF increased by about 5 per cent each year. Calls involving the elderly made up a growing proportion of cases - from 33.8 per cent in 2011 to 37.4 per cent in 2015.

As part of their hospital stints - at either SGH or KK Women's and Children's Hospital - SCDF paramedics will learn what goes on in the wards, emergency departments and operating rooms.

They will also be trained to deal with simulated emergencies at SingHealth's new medical simulation institute, which was launched yesterday along with five colleges to train healthcare staff.

linettel@sph.com.sg

37.4 per cent

Percentage of emergency calls to SCDF involving the elderly in 2015.

14

Number of nurses from SGH to be seconded to SCDF's 995 operations centre.

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2017.
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Last week's case of falling concrete pieces in a Yishun HDB flat injuring an 80-year-old man may have been dramatic. But it was not an isolated one.

In the last three years, about 17,800 households received help from the Housing Board to deal with spalling concrete - concrete that has broken up or flaked - under an assistance scheme.

The Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme, started in 2001, allows flat owners to ask for assistance via their grassroots advisers. HDB and the home owner split equally the cost of repairs for ceiling leaks and spalling concrete.

HDB was unable to reply by press time on the total number of spalling concrete cases. But in 2012, then Minister of State for National Development Lee Yi Shyan said the problem afflicts about 1 per cent of all flats and 2 per cent of older ones built between 1983 and 1986.

Spalling concrete occurs when steel bars embedded in the ceiling start corroding, causing the concrete to crack and fall off in chunks.

It usually occurs in older buildings and is particularly problematic in bathrooms, as moisture causes the steel parts to rust. Experts have said spalling concrete poses no risks to structural integrity unless it is neglected, allowing it to spread.

Block 141 Yishun Ring Road, where last Friday's incident occurred, is 32 years old and has not undergone upgrading under HDB's Home Improvement Programme.

Yesterday, the flat owner, a 50-year-old part-time accountant who wanted to be known only as Ms Gan, told The Straits Times that her father, who suffered surface lacerations on his leg, is recovering.

She added that HDB officers said they would visit to conduct a more detailed check on Saturday, and she has agreed to take up the GRA offer.

She said she noticed a long crack appearing in her bathroom a few months ago, but thought she could live with it. But after her father made the news, Ms Gan added: "I think Singaporeans will be more aware of such a problem now."

HDB says flat interiors are the responsibility of home owners. It tries to spread awareness of home maintenance through free talks, which the public can register for online. It also has a page on how to treat spalling concrete on its website.

But MPs yesterday told The Straits Times it would be ideal if HDB could conduct routine checks, especially at flats with elderly members. They acknowledged that this would be a resource-intensive exercise.

Ms Tin Pei Ling, MP for the ageing ward of MacPherson, suggested stepping up public education efforts with brochures and roadshows.

Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah, an engineer, said residents are best placed to notice wear and tear, saying: "The moment you see a crack on your ceiling, do something."

Repairs cost about $300 for spalling concrete in an area the size of a cellphone, to $1,200 for the entire ceiling of an HDB toilet, said Mr Ravits Goh, managing director at A & R Construction and Engineering, an HDB-approved contractor. Most cases his firm has seen are in blocks that are about 20 to 30 years old.

One home owner who has taken matters into her own hands is piano teacher Catherine Lim, 54, who lives in a 36-year-old block in Clementi Avenue 4. After some plaster debris fell on her bathroom floor two years ago, she and her husband bought a can of paint, grabbed a ladder and patched the hole.

Shrugging off the effort, she said: "It's part and parcel of living in an old house. You can't blame HDB for everything."

rachelay@sph.com.sg

How to prevent spalling concrete

PAINT CEILINGS REGULARLY

The carbonation process, which causes spalling concrete, can be slowed down or prevented by painting the ceiling regularly.

Residents should paint their ceilings every three to five years, using a few coats of anti- carbonation or good quality paint.

SEAL CRACKS AND HOLES PROPERLY

If there are holes drilled in ceilings that are no longer needed, seal them immediately. This helps to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete. Cracks on the ceiling should be sealed as and when they appear.

PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VENTILATION

A humid environment speeds up the carbonation. Humidity levels can be kept down in moisture-prone areas, like the kitchen and bathrooms, by opening vents, windows and doors.

This article was first published on Jan 12, 2017.
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SINGAPORE - For selling tobacco to minors under 18-years-old, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has suspended the tobacco retail licences of eight errant tobacco retailers.

The suspension will last six months, HSA said in a statement today.

"HSA inspectors have observed that the majority of errant retailers do not ask for any form of identification to check the buyers' age. Retailers take the risk of offending if they assess age by mere physical appearance," wrote HSA.

The outlets are:

• Kwang Guan Huat at 95 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh
• Hui Huat Yew Kai Minimart at 26 Jalan Membina
• Vel Murugan Trading at 419 Fajar Road
• Kai Soon Supermarket at 123 Hougang Avenue 1
• Good Price Centre at 18 Bedok South Road
• Happy Family Neighbourhood Budget Minimart at 708 Tampines Street 71
• Two 7-Eleven outlets located at 245 Pasir Ris Street 21 and 131 Marsiling Rise

Of the eight retailers, Vel Murugan Trading has ceased operations, but HSA will continue to pursue action against the seller.

Since 2014, HSA has suspended 40 tobacco retail licences and revoked 20 more.

Anyone caught selling tobacco products to minors below 18 may be fined up to $5,000 for the first offence and up to $10,000 for subsequent offences. The tobacco retail licence will also be suspended for six months for the first offence and revoked for the second offence.

Retailers selling tobacco products to under-18 minors in school uniform or those below 12 years of age will have their tobacco retail licence revoked at the first offence.

Buying or giving tobacco products to a minor is also an offence, HSA added.

grongloh@sph.com.sg

The ban on pet cats in Housing Board flats has come back under the spotlight after a notice to a Woodlands resident to remove his cat from his home attracted attention online.

In the letter dated Dec 28 last year that the resident posted on Facebook, HDB said pet cats are prohibited as they are difficult to confine within flats, and can cause a nuisance in public areas.

In response to queries, HDB told The Straits Times it had received feedback that the flat owner's cat had been defecating and urinating in the common area outside the homes of other residents.

It is working with animal welfare group Cat Welfare Society (CWS) to rehome the cat, it added.

Though the authorities act only on complaints, animal welfare groups have long lobbied for the removal of the ban, which has been in place since 1989, said Dr Jaipal Singh Gill, executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Official recognition of cat ownership in HDB flats will enable better handling of complaints and enforcement against errant pet owners, said Dr Gill.

The spotlight comes as a pilot programme for cat lovers in Chong Pang, to keep their feline companions in flats, nears the end of its four-year trial.

Read also: If dogs are allowed, why not cats? Kitty lovers unhappy about no-cat rule in HDB flats

Under the Love Cats programme, flat dwellers must register, sterilise and microchip their pets, and restrict them from roaming outdoors.

There are currently 105 households registered under the scheme, which is managed by CWS, with the support of government agencies.

The Ministry of National Development told The Straits Times that it is in the midst of assessing future plans for the Chong Pang pilot, and CWS' proposal to expand it.

Plans to extend it to other areas such as Marine Parade had been mooted as early as in 2015, though talks have stalled on funding, said CWS spokesman Veron Lau.

Given that cat ownership is already widespread, removing the blanket ban will help education and mediation efforts, leading to fewer pets being abandoned, she added.

Mr Louis Ng, an MP for Nee Soon GRC and founder of animal welfare group Acres, said the pilot has been successful and could be rolled out to more areas.

Chong Pang residents and shopkeepers yesterday said they have not had many cat-related nuisances in the area.

Housewife Ivy Tan, who has three rescue cats registered under the programme, hopes it will be expanded.

"Cats don't bark, and they are toilet-trained - neighbours wouldn't even know they're there," said Ms Tan, who is in her 50s.

"Cats can definitely be kept indoors as long as owners are responsible - it's up to them, not the cats."

tiffanyt@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 13, 2017.
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In a change of courtroom roles, Senior Counsel Philip Jeyaretnam took the witness stand yesterday to testify how he uncovered circumstances that led him to suspect a distant relative had been exploited into giving $5 million to her maid, a construction worker and an engineer.

The relative is the late Dr Freda Paul, a retired doctor who died in August last year at the age of 87.

In his capacity as one of two executors of her estate, Mr Jeyaretnam is suing the trio and two others to get back the money she had given away in 2010.

He argued she was mentally incapable of understanding the effect of the gifts and had acted under undue influence.

Mr Jeyaretnam, a son of late politician J. B. Jeyaretnam, is not a beneficiary of her estate.

His grandfather and Dr Paul's father were cousins.

"The reason we brought the suit is (that) there is a whole plethora of suspicious circumstances," he said when cross-examined.

Among other things, he noted that Dr Paul's written instructions to a lawyer in 2009 were uncharacteristically peppered with spelling errors.

He also found it "deeply suspicious" that monthly payments of $9,000 she got from a reverse mortgage in 2007 were cashed out immediately.

Dr Paul, who was a paediatrician at Singapore General Hospital, never married and her sole asset was a house in Haig Road, which was sold in 2009 for $15.4 million.

In 2001, she befriended Mr Kulandaivelu Malayaperumal, a worker at a nearby construction site, and his supervisor, engineer Gopal Subramaniam.

Both were from India.

She was then living with her mentally disabled sister and Sri Lankan maid Arulampalam Kanthimathy.

In 2007, she willed the bulk of her wealth to be used to set up a bursary fund for needy female medical students at the National University of Singapore.

Four cousins in Malaysia were the other beneficiaries.

By May 2009, Mr Malayaperumal would occasionally stay over at her home.

In September 2009, after her sister died, Dr Paul told her lawyer to prepare a power of attorney, authorising Mr Subramaniam to sell the house.

He deposited $10 million into her bank account, gave $1 million to Mr Malayaperumal, $1 million to Ms Kanthimathy, and $912,000 to himself.

He also used $2.4 million to buy a smaller house in Ceylon Road for Dr Paul.

Six months later, Mr Malayaperumal and Ms Kanthimathy each received another $1 million.

Property agent Parvathi Somu, who handled the deals, received $500,000.

The maid was added as a joint holder of Dr Paul's bank account.

Around the same time, Dr Paul made a will, this time leaving most of her assets to Mr Malayaperumal and Ms Kanthimathy.

There was no bequest for the bursary fund.

In his testimony, Mr Jeyaretnam said that in 2012, another relative - Dr Ruhunadevi Joshua - told him she and her husband had visited Dr Paul, but the maid did not let them in.

Mr Jeyaretnam said that when he visited Dr Paul, she could not recognise him.

In 2013, he and Dr Joshua applied and were appointed to be deputies under the Mental Capacity Act to manage Dr Paul's affairs.

On finding out, among other things, that Dr Paul made the 2010 will even though she was medically unfit, he suspected she had been exploited, he said.

He and Dr Joshua went to court to reinstate the terms in the 2007 will.

They also sued five people, including the lawyer who prepared the power of attorney, to recover the $5.4 million.

A default judgment was obtained against the maid after she failed to respond to the suit.

The claims against the property agent and lawyer were settled out of court.

Mr Malayaperumal and Mr Subramaniam argued that Dr Paul was of sound mind at the time.

Mr Malayaperumal contends she had willingly given him the money.

Mr Subramaniam denied exercising any undue influence, saying his role was limited to carrying out his duties as her legal representative.

selinal@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on January 13, 2017.
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Laser lights being flashed at planes is a growing concern for pilots, including those who fly in and out of Changi Airport.

They appear harmless but laser pointers can cause temporary blindness, which is especially dangerous during take-off and landing.

Between January and November last year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) received 53 reports of laser lights being flashed here, compared with 28 for the whole of 2015.

Worldwide, the number of incidents has jumped from one a day in 2008 to 17 in 2012, which is more than 6,200 a year.

Recent data is not available but the industry estimates that the figure has easily doubled in the last four years.

While such acts have not caused any serious mishaps yet, the numbers are alarming, said pilots and airlines.

Mr Loo Chee Beng, CAAS' director of air navigation services policy and planning, said: "A laser light shone into an aircraft cockpit can confuse, distract or cause discomfort to the pilots."

In more severe cases, pilots may experience temporary flash blindness, and even suffer from eye injuries leading to incapacitation.

"These effects are significant hazards to flight operations and put lives at risk, especially during the critical phases of flight, that is, during take-off and landing," Mr Loo said.

Laser pointers, commonly used during meetings or presentations, typically emit a red, green or blue light.

Even at a very low power of 5 milliwatts (mW), the pen-like battery-operated devices can cause temporary flash blindness in pilots if aimed directly at the eye - even from the ground.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) spokesman Nicholas Ionides said that in such situations, pilots are trained to follow procedures such as looking away from the source and shielding their eyes, alerting other crew members and handing over control of the aircraft to somebody else.

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (Ifalpa) said such attacks are frequently the result of deliberate action.

"This is either because the perpetrator has a lack of understanding of the consequences, or of more concern, the perpetrator understands the hazards of lasers and illuminates aircraft with the intent of doing harm," it added.

The association is "deeply concerned at the alarming increase in laser strike incidences" and wants such acts to be classified as unlawful, added Ifalpa's acting president, Captain Ron Abel.

A proposal, supported by other industry players, including the International Air Transport Association (Iata), has been submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) - the commercial aviation arm of the United Nations.

In Singapore, where there are already penalties against such acts, first-time offenders can be fined up to $20,000.

In the case of a subsequent conviction, offenders face a maximum penalty of a $40,000 fine and a jail term of up to 15 months.

The Straits Times understands that so far no one has been prosecuted.

karam@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on January 13, 2017.
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IT'S going to be another lacklustre year for dividend investors, as total Singapore dividends in 2017 is projected to rise by just 0.6 per cent, barely improved from last year's already weak 0.4 per cent rise.

Expected ordinary dividends, excluding one-off payments, for 2017 is S$16.4 billion, compared to S$16.3 billion in 2016, according to financial services provider Markit.

It's a lot worse in US dollar terms as total dividends in USD are forecast to be down 5 per cent to US$11.3 billion.

And misery loves company. Singapore's paltry projected return will not even be the worst among the 13 Asia-Pacific countries tracked by Markit.

Thailand's dividends are forecast to grow 0.4 per cent while dismal performance is expected to come from South Korea (-9.6 per cent) and Hong Kong (-0.8 per cent).

Singapore's top paying sectors - banking and telco - which account for 45 per cent of the total payouts, are expected to increase dividends by 1.6 per cent and 1.3 per cent in aggregate terms.

However, the per-share payout by companies in the sector are forecast to remain unchanged from the previous year, reflecting moderating growth expected for both sectors, Markit said.

Higher dividend payouts can be due to an enlarged share base from companies offering dividend script in lieu of cash. Singapore's local banks have been offering dividend script to shareholders in order to conserve cash.

The oil & gas sector continues to struggle and Markit expects another year of double-digit fall in dividends for the sector. It sees the total for the sector dropping 30 per cent to S$506.6 million from S$723.3 million in 2016 which itself was 37 per cent lower from S$1,158 million in 2015.

Markit expects three companies to continue paying special dividends this year as they did in 2016.

They are City Developments, Singapore Press Holdings and Singapore Technologies Engineering.

Overall, Asia-Pacific dividend payouts are dull, especially in USD terms.

In contrast, the rest of the world is going to enjoy a dividend surge, said Markit.

"Dividends are set to rise across the world as commodities firms put last year's volatility behind them, however Asian stocks lag behind as Chinese and Hong Kong banks trim payments," it said.

UK dividends top the global league table with a 10 per cent surge in payments forecast, driven by the pound slump and commodities rebound, it said.

Payments by European and North American firms are predicted to grow by over 6.5 per cent.

Asia payments are expected to fall by 2.2 per cent in USD terms although only two markets, South Korea and Hong Kong, registered falls in local currencies.

In total, Apac dividends are forecast to come in lower at US$390.9 billon, representing the first decline in four years, said Markit.

Special dividends are set to be down 63 per cent to US$3.1 billion in an absence of one-off dividends paid by Hong Kong last year due to a number of significant divestments.

The overall poor performance expected stems from the appreciation of the US dollar against Apac currencies. Consequently, markets that traditionally anchor Apac dividends such as Japan and Hong Kong are expected to register 3.4 per cent and 0.9 per cent lower dividends.

Japan is projected to contribute 22.4 per cent to aggregate dividends from Apac, and remains the top payer across the region. In 2017, it is expected to grow dividends to 10.2 trillion yen (S$127 billion), an increase of 5.2 per cent, backed by dividend growth across all sectors.

Hong Kong is expected to be the second largest contributor to Apac dividends this year at HK$599 billion (S$110 billion), down 0.8 per cent from the year before.

The majority of Hong Kong payouts continue to be driven largely by the banks, real estate companies and telcos, which are expected to cumulatively contribute 56 per cent to the country's payout.

Banking dividends are forecast to continue on a downward trend, with 15 out of 21 companies in this segment likely to cut dividends.

Markit expects banking dividends to fall by 4.9 per cent in the coming year, largely due to the decline in dividends from the big four Chinese banks. The largest expected increase from banking for 2017 will come from Postal Savings Bank of China, which will be paying a maiden dividend since its listing in September 2016. Postal Savings Bank of China is expected to pay HK$3.1 billion in dividends in 2017, said Markit.

India is the top Apac country for dividend growth. Its aggregate dividend is expected to rise 11.3 per to US$16.5 billion, equivalent to a 12.8 per cent increase to INR 1.1 trillion (S$23 billion).

The technology sector is set to contribute one-fifth of the total dividends for a third consecutive year in 2017 with projected payments of INR 235.2 billion. The sector has continuously delivered double-digit increases in dividends since 2013, except for 2016 when new dividend distribution tax became effective and distribution growth was muted, said Markit.

This article was first published on Jan 13, 2017.
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A stroller being taken up an escalator at Raffles Place MRT station on Wednesday became wedged between the steps as it approached the upper landing.

The downward pressure exerted by its wheels caused the steps to dislodge and triggered a mechanism that stopped the escalator, said the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) yesterday.

The child in the stroller was not hurt in the incident.

The BCA said it was aware of another incident last year where a pram became stuck in an escalator and dislodged the steps.

"For your children's and your own safety, we advise all users not to carry heavy or bulky items, such as luggage, onto escalators," it said.

"Prams and trolleys should not be used on the escalators too."

Cleaner Phua Kok Hee, 62, told The Straits Times there was a loud bang when the incident happened.

"I saw people slowly coming down the escalator, and immediately went to tell the staff at the control station," he said.

The incident took place at Exit A of the busy interchange, which leads to buildings such as Chevron House and One Raffles Place.

Mr Patrick Nathan, SMRT's vice-president for corporate information and communications, said the area was cordoned off for the safety of commuters.

The escalator is closed for repair and will be reopened when works have been completed and approved, said the BCA.

Mr Lum Chong Chuen, 72, an engineer who has been providing building services consultancy for about 50 years, said such incidents are not common.

"In this situation, if the comb plate (at the top of the escalator) had shifted, the escalator would have stopped to prevent accidents."

The latest incident comes after stricter rules were announced for the 6,000 or so escalators in Singapore.

Since November last year, it has been compulsory for escalator owners to engage registered escalator contractors for monthly maintenance.

BCA chief executive John Keung said last July that there were "not that many" escalator accidents reported in Singapore, but there had been some abroad.

In 2015, for instance, a woman died in China when she fell through a floor panel at the top of an escalator.

"That's why we are concerned. Let's make sure we do all that we can to prevent such accidents," Dr Keung had said.

jalmsab@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on January 13, 2017.
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Business and research hub one-north in Buona Vista will soon have a system that will let people hire bicycles or e-scooters for travel on that "last mile" stretch that is not well served by public transport.

Industrial developer JTC Corporation called a tender for the system on Wednesday, a day after Parliament passed a law allowing personal mobility devices (PMDs) and bicycles on public paths.

In the tender documents obtained by The Straits Times, JTC cited Infinite Studios, a media production building that is about 1km from one-north MRT station.

This was a "significant distance to cover on foot daily", it said, as it noted the need "to improve last-mile connectivity" for the estate.

Currently, shuttle buses ferry workers to different places in the estate and the two MRT stations: one-north and Buona Vista.

The planned sharing system will give workers in the estate another travel alternative, said Mr Aaron Tham, director of JTC's New Estate division.

The estate is occupied by businesses and research facilities, and has about 46,000 workers.

The sharing system JTC wants is for 50 bicycles or e-scooters, and seven docking sites for renting these machines.

They are spread across its 200ha estate.

The two MRT stations will each have two docking sites near them.

The remaining three will be at the Nucleos building in Biopolis, the Mediacorp building and Infinite Studios.

The e-scooters or bikes would be available for rent round the clock, seven days a week.

Users can pick up and leave them at any of the docking sites.

Tender documents also proposed a fee structure in which the first 15 minutes will be free.

Subsequent 15-minute blocks will cost 50 cents and after the first four hours, every 15 minutes will cost $1.

This is the second tender for a bike-share system that the Government has called for.

The first, by the Land Transport Authority, was for a bike-share system in Marina Bay, Tampines, Pasir Ris and the Jurong Lake District.

The tender, which closed in December, has yet to be awarded.

Mr David Louey, 34, who runs the MovetoLive gym in Biopolis, said the sharing system is a brilliant idea, but it may take a bit of time for one-north workers to be comfortable hopping on a bike or e-scooter.

"I'll definitely try it out," he added. Now, he takes eight minutes to walk to his gym from Buona Vista MRT station.

This is not the first time a bike-sharing system is being tried out at one-north.

In 2012, avid cyclist Francis Chu started such a scheme, with two docking sites.

It closed soon after, owing to poor response.

Mr Chu attributed it to a lack of infrastructure for cyclists to ride safely in the estate.

"I do not see a lot of significant improvements now. During peak hours, the footpath is too narrow and crowded, and on the road, riders need to mix with traffic, and it's not very safe if you are an inexperienced cyclist," he said.

He suggested narrowing road lanes, with separate paths built for cyclists and PMD users.

Mr Tham said JTC is gearing up for the system. It will widen the footpaths and build a 7.7km network of paths for the PMDs.

"Sheltered linkways will also be built as part of the mobility network for added convenience," he said.

dansonc@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 13, 2017.
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If you use Google Maps, you'll be able to seamlessly book and pay for an Uber ride without leaving the app, said the company in a blog post on Thursday (Jan 13).

Through the latest update to the app, users will be able sign in to their existing Uber account, book a ride and track their driver and even contact him. This works even if you don't have the Uber app installed on your device.

Google Maps has also expanded its services to include being able to reserve a table at a local restaurant, booking your favourite fitness class to ordering delivery for a night in. 

The integration comes with a new look on the ride services option which lets you even take a look at information about your destination while you're on your way. 

Here's how it works:

sujint@sph.com.sg